Understanding Architecture Through Drawing

Chapter 19

History and archaeology

Drawing is a particularly useful tool to employ in the study
of the history of architecture and in related fields of
archaeology. The site sketch supplemented by measure-
ments on the ground brings the organisation, structure
and construction of historical and archaeological subjects
into a graphic form that can be readily understood.
Historical sites come in many forms – some are
predominantly below ground, others are fragments
of structure above, others are relatively complete
assemblies covering quite large areas, others still are

large settlements or areas of cities. Invariably, the man-

made structures and surrounding landscape have a

special and often planned relationship although it may not

be evident to the casual observer. The role of the sketch

is to bring these relationships into focus, thereby

beginning to understand the design content of the

building or site in question.

Unlike drawing modern buildings, a typical arch-

aeological site usually sits independently of the urban

context. Although the subjects under exploration may be

160 Understanding architecture through drawing