Traditional Earthen Building Techniques in Central Asia

Abstract

This article provides an overview of the principal earthen building materials of Central Asia and the cultural aspects of a traditional architecture that incorporates an understanding daring back centuries. The work was started by focusing on sets of research questions, which also helped to structure the study: What are the manufacturing processes of materials in the area? Based on the analysis of materials, what suggestions can be made for a more appropriate conservation of the Central Asian built heritage? There is at present a large lacuna in the literature on Central Asian materials. The traditional processes of production and the traditional methods for repairing require proper documentation. The author interviewed several craftsmen to collect data on the traditional process of manufacturing earthen materials. The aim of interviewing local craftsmen through semi-structured interviews was to increase the scant information about the local, traditional techniques of construction and the materials employed.

KEY WORDS:

• Central Asia
• building techniques
• mud brick
• rammed earth
• cob
• lime

Notes

¹ Grajdankina (1989) explains that, as a general rule, Central Asian loess soil is characterized by the following components: silica (50%–60%), calcium oxides (9%–14%, but in areas such as Fergana may be up to 20%–25%), gypsum/magnesium oxides (1%–3.5%), and other oxides (15%–18%, of which ferrous oxides are between 4%–7%).

²In Kampyr Tepa (also known as Kafyr Tepa, south Uzbekistan) early Kushnan bricks (first century BC) measure 38–40 × 38–40 × 12 cm, early Greek or pre-Mongol bricks measure 50 × 40 × 14 cm, whereas Greek bricks (beginning of the third century to end of the second century BC) measure 36–37 × 36–37 × 14 cm. Pilipko (1985) explains that stamped mud bricks revealing mason marks were found in Merzabek III, site dated tenth century AD.

³The person who returns the help is called assàrsh.

⁴In some areas of Tajikistan the pit for mixing soil is called loikhona and can be approximately 1 m deep.

⁵The advantage of using organic fibers in mud plastering is yet to be revealed by current research. However, it is certain that the use of straw produces thicker renders, and that its use in soils with high clay content reduces the risks for cracks. Organic fibers may improve the resistance to water, introducing a stronger connection between clay wafers and hindering dispersion.

⁶In contemporary Kazakhstan, in the loess steppe area of Shaul Der between Turkestan and Shymkent, plaster is made of a mixture of soil and lime. Outer coats have the following composition: 4 parts sand (Arys river banks), 1 part clay, 1 part lime putty (limewash is then employed as a protective skin). Inner scratch coats have the following composition: scratch coat: 1 part of clay and 1 of straw. Inner skim coats are made with same ingredients as for outer layer (and limewash as a protective skin).

⁷The experimental analysis of the grey soil (greenish grey, 5/1 gley 1) showed that the carbonates content is within the range of 32%–50%, whereas the soluble salts content is minimal (approximately 1%). The analysis of the brown soil (pale brown, 6/3 10YR) gave the following values: carbonates 28%, soluble salts 1%.

⁸ Pisarčik and Yershov (1973) explain that only in village Shing one wooden rammer (bomkuv) surveyed. The block measured 25 cm in height and 50 cm in diameter, but does not seem to be a widespread tool in the area.

⁹The common word for gypsum is gach (Iran) or ganch (Central Asia).