SETTING OUT - Ancient Building Technology - page 39

A noticeable feature in Greek temple design is that columns keep in step with
the stylobate paving blocks—i.e. columns are set centrally on a stylobate block, they
are not positioned at random with respect to the jointing of the blocks. Now the
jointing pattern of the stylobate blocks follows the order established in the lowest
course of the crepis. h us the jointing of the lowest course of the crepis determines
the positioning of the columns. Since the setting out guide for the positioning of
the columns was readily available, the positions of the columns could be marked
when the lowest course of the crepis was to be set and the individual blocks of that
course dressed and set accordingly. In this way the masonry of the crepis keeping
vertical perpends, the columns in due course stood centred on individual blocks
of the stylobate as required.

49 h e har-

mony of
Classical
Greek
masonry

General References

Basic Surveying

G.W. Unsill & G. Hearn, Practical Surveying , London, 1949. (A sound and complete treatment
of modern surveying before computerisation.)
F. Bettess, Surveying for Archaeologists , Durham, 1998. (Includes rule of thumb procedures without
precision instruments applicable to setting out ancient buildings.)
J.-P. Adam, La Construction Romaine , Chap. 1, Paris, 1989.
O.A.W. Dilke, h e Roman Land Surveyors , Newton Abbott, 1971.
E.N. Stone, Roman Surveying Instruments , University of Washington, 1928.

Principles of Setting Out

F. Bell, Surveying and Setting Out Procedures , Avebury, 1993.
J. Clancy, Site Surveying and Levelling , London, 1991.
J. Harvey, h e Mediaeval Architect , p. 121, London, 1972.
D. Arnold, Building in Egypt , Chap. 1, pp. 1-25, New York, 1991.
h . h ieme, . . . . h e Basilica of Johannes Stoudios , pp. 297-300, “Planning and Setting Out,” in
Le Dessin d'Architecture , pp. 291-308.

Setting Out Rock Cut Monuments

W.H. Seton Kerr, “How the Tomb Galleries of h ebes were cut,” ASAE 6, 1905, pp. 178-87.
E. Mackay, “h e Cutting and Preparation of Tomb Chapels in the h eban Necropolis.” JEA VII,
1921, pp. 154-68.
J.P. Oleson, “Technical Aspects of Etruscan Rock Cut Tomb Architecture,” RM 85, 1978,
pp. 278-314.