Sculpture, memory and meaning in the sarcophagi of Roman Syria.

罗马叙利亚石棺中的雕塑、记忆和意义。

• 批准号: 2881767
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: University of Nottingham
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Studentship
• 财政年份: 2023
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2023 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=studentship-2881767
• 关键词: Sculpture; memory; meaning; sarcophagi; Roman

Sarcophagi are an important source for understanding artistic traditions and cultural expression in Roman Syria: from the monumental marble boxes with sculpted scenes from Greek mythology, shipped from Athens to Tyre; to the limestone creations of desert Palmyra, proudly bearing sculpted busts of generations of ancestors. My research aims to establish the importance of this overlooked branch of Near Eastern art. Impacted by Orientalist discourse that assumes western superiority over eastern cultures, Syrian art is often labelled 'provincial' and considered derivative of Graeco-Roman styles. In reality, Syrian sarcophagi in their many forms were products of a complex merging of cultures and artistic traditions, widely used and ingeniously adapted to suit myriad local communities across the region. My research focuses on production and significance: -How did decorated sarcophagi reflect local artistic traditions?-What can they tell us about ancient ideas on death, grief and the afterlife?-To what extent did sarcophagi undergo a process of mass-production and how much scope did the patron have for individualization?-Can we trace the spread of designs between Syrian workshops, and from Roman imports?A comprehensive study like this is yet to be undertaken and so my research promises to make a significant contribution to research on the art of Roman Syria, to increase the visibility of sarcophagus collections and enhance appreciation of the knowledge they can offer on life and death in the region. The current political situation in Syria and the impact of civil war have left the future of archaeological research in the area uncertain. The destruction of cultural heritage has created an urgent need to preserve the rich history of Roman Syria by illuminating the objects that have survived.I have gathered a corpus of material to serve as the core of my research, from museum collections (The British Museum; The Louvre) and archaeological publications (de Jong 2017; Pogoda 2018; Annan 2019). Using data from the sites of Berytus, Byblos, Tripolis, Antioch, Sidon, Marathos, Doliche, Gerasa, and those mentioned above, I will organise sarcophagi according to size, shape, and material, and decoration. This preliminary work will enable me to trace local and regional variations and identify contact between workshops, working for the first time towards a holistic picture of Syrian sarcophagi. Building on the extensive scholarship on death and commemoration in the Greek and Roman worlds (Toynbee 1971; Alcock 2002; Zanker 2012), and the lesser-known cemeteries of Parthia to the east, I will explore the socio-cultural significance of sarcophagi to individuals and communities throughout Roman Syria. In considering the influence of consumer demand on standardized designs (Russell 2013), I will compare with other serially produced sculpture likely produced in the same workshops (e.g.,architectural decoration). Additionally, I will incorporate an experimental archaeology element through engagement with a modern sculptural workshop. This interdisciplinary experience would give valuable insight into the technical and social processes that underpin the life of the sarcophagi, from commission to burial, thereby enhancing my understanding of sculptural practice in the ancient world.

石棺是了解罗马叙利亚艺术传统和文化表达的重要来源：从雅典运往提尔的巨大大理石盒子，上面雕刻着希腊神话的场景；巴尔米拉沙漠的石灰岩造物，自豪地承载着几代祖先的半身雕像。我的研究旨在确立这一被忽视的近东艺术分支的重要性。受到认为西方文化优于东方文化的东方主义话语的影响，叙利亚艺术经常被贴上“地方性”的标签，并被认为是希腊罗马风格的衍生品。事实上，多种形式的叙利亚石棺都是文化和艺术传统复杂融合的产物，被广泛使用并巧妙地适应了该地区无数的当地社区。我的研究重点是生产和意义： - 装饰石棺如何反映当地的艺术传统？ - 它们能告诉我们关于死亡、悲伤和来世的古代思想什么？ - 石棺在多大程度上经历了大规模生产过程以及如何赞助人对个性化的范围有多大？-我们能否追踪叙利亚作坊之间和罗马进口的设计传播？像这样的全面研究尚未进行，因此我的研究有望为有关设计的研究做出重大贡献罗马叙利亚的艺术，提高石棺藏品的知名度，并提高人们对它们可以提供的有关该地区生与死的知识的认识。叙利亚目前的政治局势和内战的影响使该地区考古研究的未来充满不确定性。文化遗产的破坏迫切需要通过照亮幸存的物品来保护罗马叙利亚的丰富历史。我从博物馆藏品（大英博物馆；卢浮宫）和考古出版物（de Jong 2017；Pogoda 2018；Annan 2019）。使用来自贝里图斯、比布鲁斯、特里波利斯、安条克、西顿、马拉松、多利切、格拉萨和上述地点的数据，我将根据大小、形状、材料和装饰来组织石棺。这项初步工作将使我能够追踪当地和区域的差异，并确定研讨会之间的联系，从而首次全面了解叙利亚石棺。以希腊和罗马世界有关死亡和纪念的广泛学术研究（Toynbee 1971；Alcock 2002；Zanker 2012）以及东部帕提亚鲜为人知的墓地为基础，我将探讨石棺对个人的社会文化意义以及整个罗马叙利亚的社区。在考虑消费者需求对标准化设计的影响时（Russell 2013），我将与可能在同一车间生产的其他批量生产的雕塑（例如建筑装饰）进行比较。此外，我将通过参与现代雕塑工作室融入实验考古学元素。这种跨学科的经验将为石棺从委托建造到埋葬的技术和社会过程提供宝贵的见解，从而增强我对古代世界雕塑实践的理解。