This introduction to the archaeology of the Islamic world traces the history of the discipline from its earliest manifestations through to the present, evaluating the contribution made by archaeology to the understanding of key aspects of Islamic culture.
The book features a detailed table of contents that outlines its structured approach to the subject matter. Each section is meticulously organized, providing readers with a clear roadmap of the topics covered. This layout enhances the reader's ability to navigate through the material efficiently, making it easier to locate specific information or themes of interest. The comprehensive nature of the contents suggests a thorough exploration of the subject, catering to both casual readers and those seeking in-depth knowledge.
Focusing on the Dome of the Rock's mosaic inscriptions, this book offers a new interpretation of its meanings at the time of its construction in the late seventh century. It analyzes the significant surviving texts, placing them within the context of Late Antique monumental writing and the ideological concerns of the Umayyad elite. The study also incorporates contemporary Islamic artifacts, providing a comprehensive view of the political and cultural landscape during the 680s and 690s. Lavishly illustrated, it includes detailed drawings of the mosaic inscription.
This anthology of written sources (dating from the seventh to the twentieth centuries) explores numerous aspects of the crafts of the Middle East from the processing of raw materials to the manufacture of finished artefacts.
The balsam of Matarea was a famous panacea among physicians in the Middle East and Europe during the antique and medieval periods. Using written sources, visual data and archaeological material, Milwright reconstructs the fascinating cultural history of the balsam tree: from Jericho and En-Gedi to Egypt, and from ancient times to the 17th century.