Impermanent Monuments, Lasting Legacies: The Dār al-Khilāfa of Samarra and Palace Building in Early Abbasid Iraq

A groundbreaking analysis of the Dār al-Khilāfa in Samarra, Iraq, challenges traditional notions of monumental permanence by examining the intentional and unintentional legacies of early Abbasid palace architecture. The study reveals that while these structures were not designed to endure indefinitely, their cultural significance and historical aura have transcended their original impermanence, offering a new lens through which to understand the dynamics of power, memory, and preservation in Islamic history. By integrating archaeological evidence with historical context, the research demonstrates how palaces like Ukhayḍir, despite their transient nature, became enduring symbols of political authority and cultural identity within the broader 'Nile to Oxus' region.

Saba, M. (2022). Impermanent Monuments, Lasting Legacies: The Dār al-Khilāfa of Samarra and Palace Building in Early Abbasid Iraq. https://doi.org/10.29091/9783954905812