ABSTRACT
Whilst during the 20th century mudbrick architecture developed into a symbol of poverty in the north of Egypt, the specific circumstances of communities such as Qurna (Luxor)—constantly threatened with destruction by the authorities due to its being built on top of ancient Egyptian tombs—meant mudbrick houses turned into a symbol of community life preservation. How did these particular circumstances reflect on earthen buildings and can they throw light into the comparative presence or absence of specific architectural features? Conversely, what part did abandonment and progressive replacement play in northern building characteristics? This paper will aim to answer these questions through a combination of key fieldwork data collected in both areas (2009–2011) and examples from a photographic archive, hitherto unpublished, showcasing Qurnawi architecture throughout the 20th century before its large-scale destruction (2006–2009).
