Authors: E. Foietta, M. Negrello

Download article as .pdf: Reinterpreting Hatra: Tracing Nature-Based and Resilient Design Principles in Ancient Urban forms

This paper analyzes and re-evaluates the archaeological and historical data related to the ancient city of Hatra, in northern Mesopotamia (2nd–3rd century CE), considering recent architectural studies and approaches focusing primarily on the concepts of nature-based solutions, resilience, and environmental adaptability. This comparative and dialogic approach, which can also be applied to other ancient sites, demonstrates how certain categories within the lexicon of urban layout and architectural design have deep historical roots, extending through traditional or vernacular architecture and converging with archaeology. At the same time, recent architectural and ethnoarchaeological studies, particularly those related to environmental adaptation and strategies for living in climatically challenging contexts, can provide valuable tools for a deeper understanding of these ancient sites. This work, to be considered as preliminary, aims to encourage further studies following this approach and to also promote the (re)use of ancient construction techniques and methods that remain effective today, for example, in the design and development of structures and buildings for archaeological parks.