5000 years of mudbrick at Arslantepe: ancient earthen architecture and modern sustainability

Arslantepe Mound, a 5000-year-old site in eastern Anatolia, showcases advanced early earthen architecture with durable mudbrick structures that have endured for millennia. The study highlights the potential of traditional mudbrick construction as both structurally robust and sustainable, contrasting it with modern building practices that exclude this know-how despite its earthquake-resistant capabilities. By comparing Arslantepe’s techniques to those found in nearby Orduzu, researchers propose integrating ancient methods with contemporary engineering to inform future rural housing policies. This approach balances cultural continuity with environmental sustainability.

Balossi Restelli, F., Biancifiori, E., Capasso, F. E., Fazio, G., Liberotti, G., Lulli, E., & Mori, L. (2025). 5000 years of mudbrick at Arslantepe: ancient earthen architecture and modern sustainability. World Archaeology, 57(3), 264–283. https://doi.org/10.1080/00438243.2026.2626089