Ancient building technology

Volume 3
Construction

By G.R.H. WRIGHT

Ancient building technology completes an account of the technology incorporated in ancient building construction—but not of the building science1 which lies behind it, nor of the structural systems in which it is embodied.2

On due completion the limitation of the work, both in scope and in execution, is apparent.

Its only justification can be in practical utility.

Ancient building technology may provide a convenient ready reference for information which otherwise would be far to seek (and thus it would be convenient to have on hand in archaeological field work).

To this end an effort has been made to order it in such a way that facilitates consultation on specific issues; likewise to keep the presentation as far as possible at a uniform level, i.e. as elementary as is consonant with some meaningfulness.

It might also be noted that this program imports a certain repetitiveness—the same basic matter being restated for each relevant context.

Ancient building technology: The preparation of the work for submission to the publishers, once more has been carried out by Lynette de Tchérépakhine.

She has been the bridge between the author and the printer—an office rendered increasingly onerous by today’s greatly changed requirements in this connection,

together with (in this instance) the long hand MS of one who cannot type and knows nothing of computers.

Fortunately Gera van Bedaf has again been in charge of producing this book, and Brill’s senior editor Julian Deahl has continued to encourage the work.

Ron Sheriff compiled the index, and Pauline Alys Wright shared in the correction of the proofs.