Cultural Interactions of Medieval Societies Hidden in The Symmetry of Ornaments

Mehmet Erbudak

Article Details

Cultural Interactions of Medieval Societies Hidden in The Symmetry of Ornaments

Authors:

Mehmet Erbudak

Publisher:

Bursa Uludağ University

Main Topics:

Arkeoloji Bilimi

Journal:

Journal of Mosaic Research Issue 16, pp.145-156

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

3/2023

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001301367

pISSN:

1309-047X

Keywords:

Abstract:

 We trace the culture on the mosaics of seven medieval civilizations by taking the symmetry of the ornaments found on the mosaics as characteristic evidence for the cultural group in which the artwork is created. We classify the ornaments into 17 wallpaper groups according to their symmetry. Applying the cosine law to the frequency of each symmetry group we calculate the pairwise correlation of the cultural interactions. Finally, a hierarchical cluster analysis is performed on the correlations to find cultural groups that are closely related to each other. The results show the formation of two clusters: The Islamic cluster includes the Arabs and the Seljuk dynasties. The Hellenistic group inspired other Anatolian civilizations and even influenced the Umayyads in Andalusia. These results are consistent with the calculations based on multidimensional scaling. Our work demonstrates the possibility of applying symmetry analysis and statistical methods to the visual arts to reveal valuable details such as the hidden influences in art practice.

 We trace the culture on the mosaics of seven medieval civilizations by taking the symmetry of the ornaments found on the mosaics as characteristic evidence for the cultural group in which the artwork is created. We classify the ornaments into 17 wallpaper groups according to their symmetry. Applying the cosine law to the frequency of each symmetry group we calculate the pairwise correlation of the cultural interactions. Finally, a hierarchical cluster analysis is performed on the correlations to find cultural groups that are closely related to each other. The results show the formation of two clusters: The Islamic cluster includes the Arabs and the Seljuk dynasties. The Hellenistic group inspired other Anatolian civilizations and even influenced the Umayyads in Andalusia. These results are consistent with the calculations based on multidimensional scaling. Our work demonstrates the possibility of applying symmetry analysis and statistical methods to the visual arts to reveal valuable details such as the hidden influences in art practice.

 We trace the culture on the mosaics of seven medieval civilizations by taking the symmetry of the ornaments found on the mosaics as characteristic evidence for the cultural group in which the artwork is created. We classify the ornaments into 17 wallpaper groups according to their symmetry. Applying the cosine law to the frequency of each symmetry group we calculate the pairwise correlation of the cultural interactions. Finally, a hierarchical cluster analysis is performed on the correlations to find cultural groups that are closely related to each other. The results show the formation of two clusters: The Islamic cluster includes the Arabs and the Seljuk dynasties. The Hellenistic group inspired other Anatolian civilizations and even influenced the Umayyads in Andalusia. These results are consistent with the calculations based on multidimensional scaling. Our work demonstrates the possibility of applying symmetry analysis and statistical methods to the visual arts to reveal valuable details such as the hidden influences in art practice.

 Mozaiklerde bulunan bezemelerin simetrilerini kullanarak, yedi Ortaçağ uygarlığının kültürel izlerini gözlemliyoruz. Simetrileri, sanat eserinin yaratıldığı kültürün bir özelliği olarak değerlendiriyoruz. Öncelikle iki boyutlu periyodik bezemeleri simetrilerine göre 17 Wallpaper grubuna ayırıyor ve her uygarlık için simerti gruplarının kullanım sıklığını sayısal olarak belirliyoruz. Bu değerlere kosinüs yöntemini uygulayarak, her bir topluluk çifti için bir tane olmak üzere, uygarlıklar arasındaki ilişkileri gösteren toplam 21 korelasyon sayısı elde ediyoruz. Bu korelasyon sayılarına uygulanan hiyerarşik kümeleme tekniği, uygarlıkların birbirlerine yakınlaştıkları iki ana kümeyi ortaya çıkarıyor: Birincisi Araplar ve Selçukluların yer aldığı İslam kümesi, ikincisi ise etkisini Anadoluda olduğu kadar ilginç olarak Endülüste de belli eden Helen-Roma grubu. Uyguladığımız çok boyutlu ölçekleme yöntemi sonuçları desteklemektedir. Böylece matematiğin değişik dallarından esinlenen simetri analizi ve istatistiksel yöntemler yardımıyla, farklı uygarlıkların sanat eserlerindeki simetrileri incelemiş ve uygarlıklar arasındaki sanatsal etkileşmeleri bulma yolunda yenilikçi bir adım atmış oluyoruz.

Article Details

Cultural Interactions of Medieval Societies Hidden in The Symmetry of Ornaments

Authors:

Mehmet Erbudak

Publisher:

Bursa Uludağ University

Main Topics:

Arkeoloji Bilimi

Journal:

Journal of Mosaic Research Issue 16, pp.145-156

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

3/2023

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001301367

pISSN:

1309-047X

Ornaments

symmetry

wallpaper groups

correlation

hierarchical cluster analysisBezemeler

simetri

wallpaper grupları

korelasyon

hiyerarşik kümeleme

çok boyutlu ölçekleme

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Mehmet Erbudak

Publisher: Bursa Uludağ University

Main Topics: Arkeoloji Bilimi

Journal: Journal of Mosaic Research Issue 16, pp.145-156

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 3/2023

Document Language: English

Document ID (Org No.): 2001301367

pISSN: 1309-047X

Issues

Authors:

Mehmet Erbudak

Publisher:

Bursa Uludağ University

Main Topics:

Arkeoloji Bilimi

Journal:

Journal of Mosaic Research Issue 16, pp.145-156

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

3/2023

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001301367

pISSN:

1309-047X