Mud brick and pisé de terre between Punic and Roman

Ben Russell, Elizabeth Fentress

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter (peer-reviewed)peer-review

Abstract / Description of output

This paper examines two building materials often overlooked in studies of Roman architecture: mud brick and pisé de terre (or rammed earth), with the focus on the latter. In the first section we will examine how pisé was made and its relative benefits in comparison to mud brick. In the second section we will turn to the occurrence of these materials in North Africa, concentrating on new data from excavations at Utica. We then turn to the broader question of the spread of these construction techniques around the pre-Roman and Roman Mediterranean. Its predominately western distribution and the fact that pisé walls are found in third-century BC contexts at Kerkouane has suggested that it derived from North Africa and was diffused via Punic influence. However, as it is found in central Italy from the fourth century BC, we might suggest that its spread was a Roman phenomenon.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationArqueología de la Construcción V
Subtitle of host publicationMan-Made Materials, Engineering and Infrastructure
Place of PublicationMadrid and Merida
PublisherEditorial CSIC
Chapter4
Pages131-143
Number of pages13
ISBN (Print)9788400101428
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2016

Publication series

Name Anejos de Archivo Español de Arqueología
Number77

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • archaeology
  • mudbrick
  • pise de terre
  • North Africa
  • Tunisia
  • Utica

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Mud brick and pisé de terre between Punic and Roman'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this