4th October 2011, 12:45 PM
Like field archaeology there is the need for the specialist analysis and that would be where the Architectural Historian would come in. Buildings Analysis may be a better term than Buildings Archaeology but the essential skill is that of being able to unravel the "stratigraphy" of the building the ability to undertake a measured survey and understand the architectural development are specialist elements that aid the fundamental process. To me the ability to understand the sequence of events is the key skill which lies at the heart of archaeology and buildings analysis.
An archaeologists who undertakes building analysis needs a working knowledge of architectural history and to know when to call on the specialist. The architectural historian looking at a building may not have learnt the mental models needed to look at the structure "stratigraphically" this is the advantage an archaeologist has. I like working with architectural historians and have learnt much from them but I have noticed that in general they do not see the little details that give the clues to the order of construction.
An archaeologists who undertakes building analysis needs a working knowledge of architectural history and to know when to call on the specialist. The architectural historian looking at a building may not have learnt the mental models needed to look at the structure "stratigraphically" this is the advantage an archaeologist has. I like working with architectural historians and have learnt much from them but I have noticed that in general they do not see the little details that give the clues to the order of construction.
