Co-residential group composition and the spatial design of residences : an investigation using the ethnographic and archaeological records
It is widely accepted that socio-cultural considerations play a significant role in the design of residences; yet the role played by the occupants' demographic characteristics can only be guessed at through fragmentary or anecdotal evidence. This research brings together a large body of secondary ethnographic data with the aim of exploring, in a systematic fashion, whether differences in the composition of co-residential groups find expression in the size and internal layouts of residences. It also seeks to determine whether the composition of groups can be inferred on the basis of architectural plans. If so, this approach could be of service in the social interpretation of archaeologically excavated residences. Part I of the thesis reviews the cultural, demographic, economic and political factors which influence the composition of co-residential groups. Part II explores the ethnographic corpus. This consists of architectural descriptions of 368 residences from 14 settlements situated in different parts of the world, together with demographic descriptions of their respective co-residential groups. Selective case studies are used to demonstrate that spatial factors can constrain and influence group membership.
Romanou, E. T.
Co-residential group composition and the spatial design of residences : an investigation using the ethnographic and archaeological records. It is widely accepted that socio-cultural considerations play a significant role in the design of residences; yet the role played by the occupants' demographic characteristics can only be guessed at through fragmentary or anecdotal evidence. This research brings together a large body of secondary ethnographic data with the aim of exploring, in a systematic fashion, whether differences in the composition of co-residential groups find expression in the size and internal layouts of residences. It also seeks to determine whether the composition of groups can be inferred on the basis of architectural plans. If so, this approach could be of service in the social interpretation of archaeologically excavated residences. Part I of the thesis reviews the cultural, demographic, economic and political factors which influence the composition of co-residential groups. Part II explores the ethnographic corpus. This consists of architectural descriptions of 368 residences from 14 settlements situated in different parts of the world, together with demographic descriptions of their respective co-residential groups. Selective case studies are used to demonstrate that spatial factors can constrain and influence group membership.
residential group composition spatial design residence investigation use_ethnographic archaeological_record widely_accept socio_cultural consideration play_significant_role design residence yet role_play occupant demographic characteristic guess fragmentary anecdotal evidence brings_together large_body secondary ethnographic_data aim exploring systematic fashion whether_difference composition residential group expression size internal layout residence also seek_determine whether composition group infer basis architectural plan could service social interpretation archaeologically excavate residence part review cultural demographic_economic political factor_influence composition residential group part_explore ethnographic corpus consist architectural description residence settlement situate different_part world together demographic description respective residential group selective case_study use spatial factor constrain influence group membership