A New Look at Excavation Techniques and Design of Rock-Cut Architectures

摘要

Rock-cut architecture is an essential yet little-known type of vernacular architecture whosenature is different from what we understand by the term “architecture” . This research seeks toanswer the question of which technics, designs and digging procedures have been applied in thistype of vernacular architecture. Out of the 300 rock-cut buildings and complexes found in Iran,nearly 70 were functionally assessed. Ten complexes were found to serve residential functions indifferent climates. Technique, type and the settlement context material were also briefly comparedand contrasted, and thus, three general excavation techniques were recognized. The largest rock-cutresidential complex in Iran, Meymand, was selected as the main case study. Fifty residential units inthe oldest part of the village in two regions on both sides of the main valley were studied in terms oftechnique and design style. They were also compared and contrasted. The quantitative data obtainedin this section were compared and contrasted using the descriptive statistical method. Although therock-cut buildings are dispersed throughout Iran, three main techniques were employed to excavatethem. Most of them were excavated using two or three of the said techniques. Application of thefine technique and the size of the particles constituting the settlement context are the two factorsdetermining the quality of excavation. The findings in the area of special climatic design standardsand technologies not only give us a better insight into rock-cut architecture but also contribute tosetting some standards for design and construction of rock-cut buildings in the present era.