Building the Classical World: Bauforschung as a Contemporary Approach

This multiauthor volume presents thirteen case studies that showcase the scientific, analytical, and often archaeological study of historic buildings that is known in German as Bauforschung. Written by established and emerging experts in this field, the chapters focus on the architecture of the Classical world and cover a wide variety of topics, such as construction processes, design principles, building traditions, and historical contexts. Despite this diversity, there is a common thread, since all contributors perceive architecture not as piles of dead matter, or as mere bearers of decoration and sculpture, but as dynamic organisms--bodies full of inner tension to defy gravity. Thus, they pursue the common goal to situate architecture in its historical contexts by documenting, reconstructing, and visualizing the structures as well as their spatial settings, technical underpinnings, and ideological symbolism.

Throughout this volume, ancient buildings are considered historic documents in their own right, reflecting both the efforts of their designers and builders, as well as the aspirations of their patrons and communities. The collection represents a wide cross-section of approaches brought to bear on ancient Greek and Roman architecture and, thus, serves as an English-language introduction to the technical and historical questions, and the methodologies inherent in Bauforschung.

Elisha Ann Dumser is an Associate Professor of Art History in the Myers School of Art at the University of Akron. Her research focuses on late Imperial architecture in Rome and the re-use of architectural materials and building sites. Her publications include Mapping Augustan Rome (2002, reprinted
2008), and chapters on visual literacy and re-use for Reuse and Renovation in Roman Material Culture (2019) and on Maxentius’ imperial residences for Late Antique Palatine Architecture (2020).

Dorian Borbonus in an Associate Professor in the History Department at the University of Dayton. His research focuses on the funerary culture of ancient Rome and in particular the phenomenon of organized collective burial. His monograph on Columbarium Tombs and Collective Identity in Augustan Rome
(2014) was published by Cambridge University Press.