Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Engineering - Department of Architectural Engineering

Within the framework of the quest for understanding the traditional meaning in the architecture and urbanism of Ancient History, the researcher studies the impact of the traditional societies' understanding of the world on their architecture and urbanism. The research points out the common aspects in the cities and sacred buildings from ancient history attributing them to a common practice of cosmologically conscious architecture and urbanism. Following the footsteps of Mircea Eliade, a traditional cosmological model is postulated to perceive how cities and their sacred buildings were shaped as heavenly models in the process referred to as microcosm. This model is used to analyze examples from the ancient world with where a set of traditional concepts show persistent, which are consciously utilized to connect the city and the temple with their heavenly counterpart. The traditional cosmological approach is used to interpret meanings in the case study of the Giza Plateau to present an alternative interpretation than that commonly supported by main- stream historians and Egyptologists

Issued also as CD