The civilizations of ancient China and Mesoamerica, although not historically related and obviously different in many specific aspects (such as language and writing), show many interesting... Show moreThe civilizations of ancient China and Mesoamerica, although not historically related and obviously different in many specific aspects (such as language and writing), show many interesting commonalities and similar tendencies in their cultural manifestations. The aim of this thesis is to examine the validity of contemporary cosmological interpretations of architecture and related visual art in both regions.In comparing the cosmological characteristics and the performance in the architecture of ancient China and Mesoamerica this thesis has a multidisciplinary focus (considering architecture, archeology, astronomy, history and anthropology). Through comparison, it is found that the two have many similarities in their cosmological theory: they have similar azimuth characteristics (associated with colors, directional gods, seasons, life and death, etc.), their buildings are rich in space orientation; they both have Three Realms (Heaven, Earth, Underworld) and a similar life and death concept, especially they all worship their ancestors; furthermore, they use a similar Calendar Round in their respective calendars. In the performance of architecture, they use their own methods to integrate the concept of cosmology into architectural creation, which makes their architecture establish connections among the cosmos, gods, and time. Show less
Galaxies have changed drastically over the past 10 billion years. This thesis deals with these changes, focusing on evolution in the structure of very massive galaxies with a range of stellar... Show moreGalaxies have changed drastically over the past 10 billion years. This thesis deals with these changes, focusing on evolution in the structure of very massive galaxies with a range of stellar population properties. The main subjects addressed are the rapid changes in the sizes of old galaxies, the gradients in stellar population content within galaxies, and the predictions from theoretical models regarding these properties. Show less
The dissertation analyses how architecture represents sacred realities. The main focus is on Tīmūrid architecture as an instrument to legitimize extreme and universal power. The four-īwān plan is... Show moreThe dissertation analyses how architecture represents sacred realities. The main focus is on Tīmūrid architecture as an instrument to legitimize extreme and universal power. The four-īwān plan is examined as a dynastic architectural tool marking the centre of the world, from which power spreads along the cardinal points to all corners of the macrosomos. Kosh examples of Tīmūrid mosques, madrasas and tombs are used to illustrate this approach. The concept of recreating Paradise on earth is further developed in line with dynastic supremacy and the role of the ruler as cosmocrator. The geographical focus is on Transoxania (present-day Uzbekistan) and partly on Khurasan (present-day Afghanistan). The four-īwān plan was a power statement, rediscovered by the subsequent ruler trying to relate his power to a previous undisputed chief patron. Since the Tīmūrids fostered good relations with the Sufi community, the four-īwān compounds were a symbolically acceptable setting both for the Sufi orders and for the ‘ulamā’. That is why, the four-īwān plan can be seen as an architectural representation both of the cosmologies of Sufism and of orthodox Islam. For the first time, the four-iwan plan is discussed in terms of the hierophanic and architectural palimpsest. This approach offers comparative analysis with Buddhist and Hindu cross-axial monuments, encompassing the current theories that regard the four-īwān plan only as a strictly Islamic phenomena. Show less
In this thesis I discuss recent observations of distant (z > 2) radio galaxies. There is strong evidence that radio galaxies are the progenitors of the brightest cluster ellipticals and are... Show moreIn this thesis I discuss recent observations of distant (z > 2) radio galaxies. There is strong evidence that radio galaxies are the progenitors of the brightest cluster ellipticals and are among the most luminous and massive galaxies at any epoch, allowing relatively detailed studies of their formation process out to large distances. Submillimeter emission has been detected in many, implying star formation rates of order 1000 Msun/yr over scales of tens of kpc, consistent with a scenario in which these galaxies are currently forming the bulk of their eventual stellar population. Many radio galaxies also host giant (~ 150 kpc) emission line nebulae. We obtaind very deep narrow-band Ly-a images for a select few of these. The observations show spectacular detail with a wealth of morphological structure, such as extended (~ 80 kpc) filamentary structures, giving insight in feedback processes during their formation. I discuss the possible origin and the ionization source of these halos in connection with the sub-mm results, and discuss possible implications for theories of galaxy formation. Show less
