The Evolution of Ancient Mosques
Ancient mosques are one of the features that physically represent the Muslim faith. Mosques from the first centuries of Islam, until the 10th century CE, can be found in Africa, western Asia, and southern Europe. Most structures were built anew but some reused earlier sanctuaries (churches, synagogues, or temples). Mosques are often related to water installations and can be located near a market and/or a bathhouse in the centre of settlements. It comes with no surprise, then, that ancient mosques are intensively studied by archaeologists, art historians, text-oriented historians, and anthropologists. In this seminar we will examine the existing evidence from excavations, archaeological surveys and architectural surveys as well as studies of art, inscriptions, historical accounts, and ethnology. We will look at the date of different mosques, their architectural characteristics and elements, their geographical attributes, and their spatial distribution along history. For example, we will try to identify from which century mosques start having a minaret or ablution facilities, and in which regions women-mosques were more common. Moreover, we will try to see if different sources provide us with different data. In addition to knowledge about mosques and medieval Islam, students will gain skills in analysing floor plans, using various historical resources, and reading the literature critically.
General readings :
Korn, Lorenz, 2012. Die Moschee: Architektur und religiöses Leben, München: C.H. Beck.
Kuban, Doğan, 1974. Muslim Religious Architecture. Part I: The Mosque and Its Early Development, Leiden: Brill.
Uğurlu , A. Hilâl and Yalman , Suzan (eds.), 2020. The Friday Mosque in the City : Liminality, Ritual, and Politics , Bristol and Chicago: Intellect.