Architectural styles and ethnic identity in medieval to modern Cyprus

Given, M. (2005) Architectural styles and ethnic identity in medieval to modern Cyprus. In: Clarke, J. (ed.) Archaeological Perspectives on the Transmission and Transformation of Culture in the Eastern Mediterranean. Series: Levant Supplementary Series 2. Oxbow Books, pp. 207-213. ISBN 1842171682

Abstract

Archaeologists and art historians have often attempted to identify ethnic groups by means of specific stylistic traits in their art and architecture. Close contextual examination, however, reveals that different groups in different contexts can use the same styles. This article reviews some examples of architectural styles and features which were borrowed and transformed during the Medieval, Ottoman and British colonial periods in Cyprus (1191-1960). One building, the British colonial governor’s residence in Nicosia built in the 1930s, is particularly revealing in its deliberate use of styles normally associated with all the other ethnic groups of Cyprus.

• Item Type: Book Sections
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Given, Dr Michael
• Authors: Given, M.
• Subjects: N Fine Arts > NA Architecture; D History General and Old World > D History (General) > D901 Europe (General); N Fine Arts > NK Decorative arts Applied arts Decoration and ornament
• College/School: College of Arts > School of Humanities > Archaeology
• Publisher: Oxbow Books
• ISBN: 1842171682
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2006 Oxbow Books
• First Published: Oxford
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced with permission of the author