The Architectural History of Ablaq: Striping in the Mediterranean
Shireen Shah
Advisor: Dr. Stephennie Mulder
Abstract
This undergraduate thesis investigates the geographic and temporal movement of architectural striping, also called ablaq, focusing on Italy and the Islamic world. Striping involves the layering of alternating materials and colors to create a distinct pattern along a building’s facade or interior. Through this examination, I elucidate the rich interaction between peoples of the Mediterranean, wherein shared goods, artforms, sciences, and architecture shaped various cultural identities. I collected 84 examples of striping across any geographic region and time period using articles, books, image archives, and travel blogs. This data collection allowed me to track the dissemination of ablaq, considering where it began, how it evolved, and when it culminated. I then analyzed examples of ablaq from Italy and the Middle East, comparing and contrasting their forms, architectural contexts, and possible meanings. I hypothesize that ablaq was a pan-Mediterranean phenomenon that peaked in the 12th and 13th centuries, suggesting close interaction between Mediterranean cultures. Furthermore, striping’s proliferation indicates that it likely held a deeper meaning. I argue that ablaq communicated states’ cosmopolitanism, reinforcing their global standing and trading power. This thesis challenges the flawed manner in which we conceive and teach history: despite the current manner of historical study, different cultures did not develop in a vacuum. Ablaq architecture reveals greater implications for cultural history in that the complex interchange between peoples profoundly transformed cultural identities, self-perceptions, and physical cityscapes. Greater recognition of this past will improve our understanding and appreciation for the unrealized diversity that now encompasses us.
