Pirjo Hamari | University of Helsinki (original) (raw)

Thesis by Pirjo Hamari

This study analyses the types and use contexts of ceramic roof tiles in the eastern part of the R... more This study analyses the types and use contexts of ceramic roof tiles in the eastern part of the Roman Empire. Despite ceramic roof tiles being one of the most frequent finds from archaeological excavations and surveys of this period from the Mediterranean area, they have not received much interest in research. In particular, the study of plain, undecorated, or unstamped tiles has been extremely limited considering the volume of material found.

This study looks at roof tile assemblages from three different excavations across the eastern Mediterranean from northern Greece and from the environs of Petra in Jordan. Based on this body of material, and collecting comparative evidence from published research, the study builds a picture of the types of roof tiles used in the area during the Roman period. By doing this, it addresses a sizable gap in our knowledge on the typological development and regional distribution of roof tile types in the study area. Chronologically, the research covers a period from the 1st to the 5th centuries CE, coinciding with the Roman dominance in the area. Spatially, it reaches from Roman Greece to the Roman Near East.

In this study, methods typically applied in the study of plain pottery have been adapted to this material, namely the study of forms (typology) and the study of fabrics (compositional analysis). Typology is used as the key explanatory tool for the material. In addition, the study uses x-ray fluorescence (microXRF) to analyse the composition of the tile fabrics from one of the assemblages, in order to study the particulars of the production process.

The results shed new light on the practice of roof tiling in the eastern part of the Mediterranean, on regional types and variations of tile types in the Roman period, and on societal aspects related to tile production and use. Despite the conservatism apparent in the general forms, the study recognizes potential typological traits in the Roman-period tile types. Moreover, it highlights the regional variation present in this seemingly uniform material. The study confirms that the tile types used in this area are derivatives of earlier eastern types, rather than emulations of Roman types, and an adherence to the use of the specific combinations of pan and cover tiles that originally defined the early Greek tile systems (Laconian, Corinthian, and hybrid) continues throughout the period under study.

The data underlying the research does not currently allow for the development of full regional typologies, but a preliminary hypothesis is formed about the tile regions in the study area for the Roman period. Three separate macro regions are identified, based on the types of tile used, corresponding roughly to Roman Greece, Roman Asia Minor, and the Roman Near East.

In addition to defining tile regions and types, the study reveals a large variation in the use contexts of roof tiles in this area during the Roman period, which is reflected in the presence and frequency of tiles in the archaeological landscape. In summary, while frequent in the Greek archaeological record of the Roman period, ceramic tile has a very low to minimal penetration into the Roman-period countryside of the Near East, in particular in southern Levant. In this area, tile use contexts are limited to public urban and grander domestic architecture.

The results clearly indicate that with improved documentation of tile assemblages, valuable new data would become available for archaeological research in this area.

Papers by Pirjo Hamari

Open Archaeology, 2023

Undecorated ceramic roof tiles and their fragments are one of the most enduring and numerous rema... more Undecorated ceramic roof tiles and their fragments are one of the most enduring and numerous remains of the earthen architecture of the Roman period to survive to us from many parts of the Roman world, especially from the Mediterranean region. Despite this, we have huge gaps in our knowledge regarding this material due to the sparsity in specialist studies and published excavation or survey records. The most detrimental gap is a lack of sufficiently fine-grained tile typology to easily situate and compare any tile material found. This work will outline the methodology used in the author's recent research concerning Roman-period ceramic roof tiles in the Eastern Mediterranean and discuss the different ways we can approach undecorated roof tiles as material to gain valuable data. The work will also touch on the current limitation we have for further research in using this material as a dataset based on the status of research (limited and biased), the methodologies that would be most valid for research (e.g. is typology still a valid tool?), and the means we have in increasing the value of this material as a source for knowledge (better documentation). Such research allows us to gain meaningful and interesting new information on style, production, and transfer of knowledge and technology, which ultimately will help us to better understand how past societies functioned and interacted.

Esitys tapahtumasta Kulttuuriperintölaitokset ja tutkimusdata - yhteistyön rajapintoja (4.3.2021 ... more Esitys tapahtumasta Kulttuuriperintölaitokset ja tutkimusdata - yhteistyön rajapintoja (4.3.2021 Kansalliskirjasto

Bukowiecki, E., Pizzo, A., Volpe, R. (eds.) 2021, Demolire, Riciclare, Reinventare. La lunga vita del laterizio romano nella storia dell'architettura. Atti del III Convegno Internazionale "Laterizio" (Roma, 6-8 marzo 2019). Costruire nel mondo antico, 3. Edizioni Quazar, Roma., 2021

La lunga vita e l'eredità del laterizio romano nella storia dell'architettura ATTI DEL III CONVEG... more La lunga vita e l'eredità del laterizio romano nella storia dell'architettura ATTI DEL III CONVEGNO INTERNAZIONALE "LATERIZIO"

Mustakallio, K, Silver, M & Örmä, S (eds) 2020, Mehr Licht, More Light, Piu Luce: Studia in honorem Arja Karivieri. Turku., 2020

Uncorrected proof - check against delivery.

Elsevier Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2019

This study uses chemical analysis (micro-XRF) to study a group of ceramic roof tiles from the Ear... more This study uses chemical analysis (micro-XRF) to study a group of ceramic roof tiles from the Early Christian basilica in Paliambela (N Greece) that carry a number of different fingerline signatures, in order to collect compositional data on the provenance of the tile materials. It analyses the interrelatedness of the signatures and discusses alternatives for their meanings. Based on the results of the chemical composition of the tiles, the fingerline signatures on the roof tiles seem to be related to the internal workings of a single workshop, as opposed to representing different workshops.

THE EARLY CHRISTIAN BASILICA OF ARETHOUSA IN MACEDONIA I. PRODUCTION, CONSUMPTION AND TRADE Edited by Arja Karivieri (Papers and Monographs of the Finnish Institute in Athens XXIII (Helsinki 2017): 37-89., 2017

This paper describes the extensive roof tile and brick material recovered from the excavations of... more This paper describes the extensive roof tile and brick material recovered from the excavations of the Early Christian basilica of Paliambela in N Greece. It makes a comprehensive analysis of the typology of the material as well as aspects related to the production and use of the tiles. The majority of the finds are Laconian-style pan tiles with abundant finger-line signatures on the tile surfaces.

Forms of Dwellling. 20 Years of Taskscapes in Archaeology, pp. 85-113., 2017

Abstract This paper examines the use of ceramic roof tiles in Petra, the capital city of the Nab... more Abstract
This paper examines the use of ceramic roof tiles in Petra, the capital city of the Nabataean kingdom in Jordan, during the Late Nabataean and the following Roman period from 1st BC to 3rd century AD. At that time, the city was undergoing a large-scale monumentalization in public building. Two major types of roof tiles are distinguished on the basis of new excavation material from the Nabataean house at Ez Zantur IV. These tiles can be dated to early 1st century AD, and possibly even to the late 1st century BC, confirming the use of roof tiles in the Nabataean period. A comparative examination of the published tile finds from the city centre provides evidence for the use of ceramic roof tiles in a number of buildings. However, the use of tile is limited to the largest public structures, for which architectural solutions of the Late Hellenistic world, involving pitched roofs, were adopted and used. Neither the introduction nor the morphology of roof tiles seem to have a connection to the growing impact of Roman Empire in this area. Visually, tiled roofs and roofscapes form a part of the urban landscape in Petra. In this landscape of traditionally flat roofs, they stand out both to the inhabitants and to the visitors. As parts of the ceramiscene of the ancient city, they reflect the actions of past over time and space in this landscape; as part of the architecture, they emphasize the vision of the city as an international Hellenistic-Roman metropolis.

Petra. The mountain of Aaron. Vol. I. The Church and the Chapel by J. Frösén and Z. T. Fiema (with several contributions). Helsinki: Societas Scientiarum Finlandiae 2008: 377-391., 2008

In: Äikäs, T, S. Lipkin and A-K. Salmi (eds.) Archaeology of Social Relations: ten case studies by Finnish archaeologists. Acta Universitatis Ouluensis B Humaniora: 77-102., 2011

Uncommon Culture, Jan 1, 2010

Book Reviews by Pirjo Hamari

Arctos vol XLIV: 354-357., 2010

Arctos vol XLV: 226-228, 2011

Arctos vol XLVI: 308-310, 2012

Books by Pirjo Hamari

Conference Presentations by Pirjo Hamari

Session at the EAA 2024 Rome, 2024

Made from fired clay, brick, tile and decorated architectural terracottas are among the most abun... more Made from fired clay, brick, tile and decorated architectural terracottas are among the most abundant material remains from Antiquity. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in this material, recognised as an underutilised source of information in archaeological research. New results demonstrate that there are now better possibilities than before for using ceramic building materials as evidence and drawing further conclusions. For example, more detailed scientMade from fired clay, brick, tile and decorated architectural terracottas are among the most abundant material remains from Antiquity. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in this material, recognised as an underutilised source of information in archaeological research. New results demonstrate that there are now better possibilities than before for using ceramic building materials as evidence and drawing further conclusions. For example, more detailed scientific analyses, a better understanding of the production and use processes, and emerging, more detailed knowledge of forms and types are producing interesting results and new data. New research also reveals gaps in our knowledge and highlights many possible approaches to this material.

During the excavation of a 5th century AD basilica church in N Greece (Paliambela), a large numbe... more During the excavation of a 5th century AD basilica church in N Greece (Paliambela), a large number of roof tiles was recovered from the destruction layers covering the church. These well-preserved tiles were of a type called Laconian, with curving pan tiles and semicircular cover tiles.
Laconian-type tiles are a common type in Late Roman Greece. As a type, they follow the form already established in the Archaic period. This type continues in use throughout the Hellenistic period and into the Roman period in Greece and nearby areas. It seems to have been the most common type in use during the Roman period, which makes it a frequent find in surveys and excavations of that period.
Based on the Paliambela material, this presentation discusses the manufacture and use of roof tiles in Roman Greece against the spread and use of “advanced” Roman building materials in the West, especially the Roman-type tegula tiles. It will assess the modes, contexts and agencies involved in the production, paying particular attention to the organization of the workshops and the role of craftsmen in producing tiles. Roof tiles are functional rather that esthetic, simple rather than prestigious, yet visible elements in architecture, and might be valuable elements in assessing the interconnectedness of social and technological choices.
Keywords: roof tiles, Roman Greece, Laconian roof tiles, production, workshops, craftsmen

During the excavation of a 5th century AD basilica church in N Greece (Paliambela), a large numbe... more During the excavation of a 5th century AD basilica church in N Greece (Paliambela), a large number of roof tiles was recovered from the destruction layers covering the church. These well-preserved tiles were of a type called Laconian, with curving pan tiles and semicircular cover tiles.
Laconian tiles are a common type in Late Roman Greece. As a type, they follow the form already established in the Archaic period. This type continues in use throughout the Hellenistic period and into the Roman period in Greece and nearby areas. It seems to have been the most common type in use during the Roman period, which makes it a frequent find in surveys and excavations of that period. Despite this, outside the Archaic period, the type is not well-documented or researched, and especially more detailed typological studies are more or less missing.
The material from the Paliambela site is well-preserved and includes several complete tiles from well-dated contexts. It allows a case presentation of this type in the Late Roman period. A search for comparisons revealed an almost complete absence of related material in published studies, and a generic approach to typology, leaning on the “traditional” Archaic form of Laconian tiles. In this paper, I aim to first present the material as an example of the roof tile type used in this area and period, and discuss its geographical extent of use. Further, I intend to discuss whether there is more to the typology of Laconian tiles in Greece than has been established so far. Questions to be addressed is how the Archaic Laconian tile relates typologically to the Late Roman Laconian tile, and how the type has developed over time, including the transition from Hellenistic to Roman Greece. For the Roman period, I aim to discuss if a more nuanced typology of roof tiles could be possible and worthwhile to develop.

Paper presented in the session T06S031 "Building Material as Transmitter of Culture" (Session Org... more Paper presented in the session T06S031 "Building Material as Transmitter of Culture" (Session Organizer: Jesko Fildhuth, Umut Almaç) at 20th EAA Conference in Istanbul, in September 10-14, 2014

Paper presented in the session "Landscapes of temporalities and activities", organized by Ulla Ra... more Paper presented in the session "Landscapes of temporalities and activities", organized by Ulla Rajala and Philip Mills. In XIV Nordic TAG 2014 (Nordic Theoretical Archaeology Group), conference theme "Archaeology as a source of theory"

The results clearly indicate that with improved documentation of tile assemblages, valuable new data would become available for archaeological research in this area.

Open Archaeology, 2023

Mustakallio, K, Silver, M & Örmä, S (eds) 2020, Mehr Licht, More Light, Piu Luce: Studia in honorem Arja Karivieri. Turku., 2020

Uncorrected proof - check against delivery.

Elsevier Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2019

Forms of Dwellling. 20 Years of Taskscapes in Archaeology, pp. 85-113., 2017

Petra. The mountain of Aaron. Vol. I. The Church and the Chapel by J. Frösén and Z. T. Fiema (with several contributions). Helsinki: Societas Scientiarum Finlandiae 2008: 377-391., 2008

In: Äikäs, T, S. Lipkin and A-K. Salmi (eds.) Archaeology of Social Relations: ten case studies by Finnish archaeologists. Acta Universitatis Ouluensis B Humaniora: 77-102., 2011

Uncommon Culture, Jan 1, 2010

Session at the EAA 2024 Rome, 2024

During the excavation of a 5th century AD basilica church in N Greece (Paliambela), a large numbe... more During the excavation of a 5th century AD basilica church in N Greece (Paliambela), a large number of roof tiles was recovered from the destruction layers covering the church. These well-preserved tiles were of a type called Laconian, with curving pan tiles and semicircular cover tiles.
Laconian tiles are a common type in Late Roman Greece. As a type, they follow the form already established in the Archaic period. This type continues in use throughout the Hellenistic period and into the Roman period in Greece and nearby areas. It seems to have been the most common type in use during the Roman period, which makes it a frequent find in surveys and excavations of that period. Despite this, outside the Archaic period, the type is not well-documented or researched, and especially more detailed typological studies are more or less missing.
The material from the Paliambela site is well-preserved and includes several complete tiles from well-dated contexts. It allows a case presentation of this type in the Late Roman period. A search for comparisons revealed an almost complete absence of related material in published studies, and a generic approach to typology, leaning on the “traditional” Archaic form of Laconian tiles. In this paper, I aim to first present the material as an example of the roof tile type used in this area and period, and discuss its geographical extent of use. Further, I intend to discuss whether there is more to the typology of Laconian tiles in Greece than has been established so far. Questions to be addressed is how the Archaic Laconian tile relates typologically to the Late Roman Laconian tile, and how the type has developed over time, including the transition from Hellenistic to Roman Greece. For the Roman period, I aim to discuss if a more nuanced typology of roof tiles could be possible and worthwhile to develop.

This paper will discuss the typological characteristics of plain roof tiles of the Laconian type ... more This paper will discuss the typological characteristics of plain roof tiles of the Laconian type from Roman Greece. By mapping features that have been used in building previous typologies for plain roof tiles and comparing their change from the Archaic to Roman period, an assessment is make which features would support the formation of better typologies for plain Laconian-style tiles. In addition, a general synthesis is made of the roof tiles types of the Roman period in the eastern provinces, in order to set the context for the use of Laconian-style tiles in this period. The paper suggests using the term Roman Laconian-style for the tiles, to emphasize the change but to acknowledge the long durée and the regional nature of the type. The paper provides an analysis of the features most likely to help in building better typologies for Laconian-style tiles (size, shape, fitting adjustments, surface decoration), and asks for better documentation of plain roof tiles, so that more nuanced typologies can be developed in the future.