A SYNOPSIS REVIEW OF EARTHEN ARCHAEOLOGICAL HERITAGE

Resumen

A large number of archaeological remains from earthen settlements have been identified throughout the world. This paper presents a summary review of literature addressing this archaeological heritage. From a first approach developed by the author (Correia, 2006), the literature review intends to go further and emphasize how earthen architecture was part of monumental heritage of ancient civilisations, but also important settlements from complex cultures. In distinct continents and antique times flourished a great diversity of societies that applied earth, as major building material. This paper addresses a review of ancient earthen sites identified in the Middle East, Iranian plateau, Ancient Egypt, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Eastern Asia, American continent and European first landmarks. As a synopsis review, main examples of earthen archaeological sites will be mentioned throughout the paper.