large and well-preserved (such as Egyptian pyramids,
Greek temples, Roman townships and Crusader castles),
they normally exist in relative isolation. This allows the
subject to be drawn from various angles, in different
lights and at progressively greater scale of detail. Hence,
the student may begin with sketches that explore how
the subject relates to the wider landscape, then progress
to how it is organised in plan or section, and finally make
detailed drawings of construction and decoration.
In the north of Europe many historical and arch-
aeological sites exist as dramatic constructions of rock
and lintel, creating sculptural compositions in open
landscapes. Here the stone circles, burial cairns,
fragments of castles or early settlements often display a
planned rather than casual relationship with the adjoining
countryside. The sites were often chosen for their
symbolic or defensive role, with earth mounding, ditches
and vistas being important elements of the total
composition. In southern Europe and the Middle East, the
same symbiotic relationship between historic site and
adjoining landscape exists but here moor and open
grassland are replaced by low scrub and desert. In all
cases, however, the importance of orientation should be
noted on the drawing, recording, for example, the angle
of the sun, the axis of due north and any ancient routes
into the site. As many early sites have ritual significance it
is likely that buildings, field enclosures, lines of valleys
and the positions of hills or mountains are in some kind of
meaningful relationship. Again, the sketchbook can be
used to note these factors, helping to develop an19.1
Skara Brae in Orkney, northern Scotland, is an ancient settlement of stone houses by
the sea. It is one of the oldest Iron Age villages in the world and being constructed of
stone has survived remarkably well. The sketches and accompanying plan explore
the relationship between enclosure, climate and landscape.History and archaeology 161