Religion, Archaeology and Modern Calendar Buildings: A Study of Avon Tyrrell House in England

This paper will explore a modern example of the tradition of constructing cities and sacred sites as reflections or embodiments of the sky. By creating spaces which were connected to the celestial bodies it was possible to create human communities which were linked to celestial ones, encouraging soc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal for the academic study of religion
Main Author: Campion, Nicholas 1953- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Equinox Publ. [2015]
In: Journal for the academic study of religion
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Lethaby, William R. 1857-1931 / Architecture / Cosmology (Motif) / Religion / Materiality
RelBib Classification:AZ New religious movements
HH Archaeology
KBF British Isles
Further subjects:B Religion History
B Archaeology
B Arts and Crafts
B Architecture
B Social stability
B England
B Historic sites
B calendar houses
B LETHABY, William Richard
B archaeology and function
B Astronomy
Online Access: Volltext (doi)
Description
Summary:This paper will explore a modern example of the tradition of constructing cities and sacred sites as reflections or embodiments of the sky. By creating spaces which were connected to the celestial bodies it was possible to create human communities which were linked to celestial ones, encouraging social stability and harmony. Such ideas underpinned traditions of the foundation of cities from China, through India, the Middle East and Mesoamerica. The paper focuses on Avon Tyrrell House, a substantial private residence which was designed and built in 1891-93. The architect, William Lethaby (1857-1931), was part of the Arts and Crafts movement and one of England's leading modernists. The paper will frame discussion of the building within notions of the continuity of ancient traditions of solar symbolism in architecture, the consideration of function in the archaeology of the present and immediate past, and will refer to the theory of vernacular and material religion.
ISSN:2047-7058
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal for the academic study of religion
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1558/jasr.v28i2.26624