Dr. Samuel Holzman

Biography

Samuel Holzman is an archaeologist and architectural historian focusing on Greece and Anatolia during the Early Iron Age and Hellenistic periods. His research is grounded in archaeological fieldwork and the technical study of ancient building methods (Bauforschung). His book, 'Bilingual Ionic Column Capitals: Perceptions of Past Greek Architecture', published by Princeton University Press, examines Greek temple builders and revisited structures and designs. Holzman’s work closely analyzes nine buildings in Greece, Italy, and Turkey from 550 to 250 BCE, focusing on 'bilingual' designs that juxtapose archaic and contemporary Ionic elements. Holzman’s recent publications reveal engineering innovations and the structural daring of ancient stone construction, particularly focusing on lifting devices used by ancient builders. His architectural research interests involve ancient aesthetic theories, the works of Vitruvius and Hermogenes, quantitative assessments of labor and transportation logistics underlying monumental buildings, and the structural technologies employed. Holzman's archaeological research has included studies of ancient musical instruments and domestic contexts of tapestry weaving. His research is supported by grants and fellowships from the Fulbright Foundation and the American School of Classical Studies at Athens. Currently, he is a fellow at the Center for Hellenic Studies in Washington D.C. Holzman has been involved in the Parthenon Restoration Project and is conducting photogrammetric documentation and consulting for the Athens Reborn: Acropolis VR teaching app. He leads an architectural research team involved in investigating the Hellenistic stoa at Samothrace, and he co-organizes the 'Connecting Art Histories' seminar studying architectural networks between the northern Aegean and the Black Sea regions.

Research Interests

Experience