The influence of Islam on medieval residential architecture: research methods and new directions

Abstract

This article uses contemporary theoretical and methodological approaches in archaeological research to examine the transformation of medieval residential architecture under the influence of Islam. The study aims to determine the feasibility of analyzing dwellings as material manifestations of social, domestic, and cultural practices, rather than merely as construction objects or planning solutions. In this context, the limitations of traditional descriptive approaches in architectural archaeology are identified, in this context, and the concepts of household archaeology and intensive archaeology are explored as relevant theoretical frameworks. The establishment of Islam in Central Asia beginning in the 8th century led to profound political, social, and cultural transformations in the region. The Karakhanid state's adoption of Islam as the official religion contributed to the expansion of urban structures, particularly rabad districts, and to the formation of Islamic infrastructural elements. Nomadic Turkic tribes that adopted Islam while maintaining their pastoral territories also integrated into urban centers, gradually adapting to an urban lifestyle under the influence of sedentary agricultural culture. Concurrently, the spread of Islam among sedentary populations was accompanied by the introduction of new architectural and construction models. The widespread presence of sanitation facilities in Central Asian cities from the 9th to 13th centuries demonstrates the consolidation of Islamic material norms. This study provides a comparative analysis of archaeological and interdisciplinary research on residential architecture in al-Andalus, North Africa, Central Asia, and the Golden Horde territories. Key functional elements organizing domestic space, such as the courtyard planning system, iwan, sufa, tandoor, kan heating system, latrines, tashnau, badrap, and water supply systems, are examined. Archaeological evidence shows that Islamic principles of cleanliness and privacy directly influenced the development of sanitation infrastructure. Sewerage systems and latrine structures in al-Andalus, drainage channels in Murcia, and toilet installations and tazar devices in Otrar and Sauran confirm that Islamic domestic culture became an integral part of residential planning. Furthermore, we analyze the results of paleoparasitological, geochemical, GIS, and 3D reconstruction methods, highlighting their significance in identifying clean and contaminated zones, cooking areas, bathing facilities, and waste disposal spaces within dwellings. These approaches interpret residential architecture not as a static object but as a dynamic space continuously shaped by time and social practices. Consequently, residential architecture influenced by Islam is not characterized as a uniform typological model, but rather, it represents a complex urban phenomenon that adapts to diverse ecological and cultural environments while remaining unified by shared religious and ethical principles. The study also demonstrates the sanitary and infrastructural advantages of Islamic domestic culture compared to medieval Europe and the convergence of sedentary and nomadic traditions in Central Asia.