Shapes and way of inhabiting the excavated architecture: knowledge and comparison of the cave dwellings in Bamyan and Matera

Rock-cut architecture is an essential yet little-known type of vernacular architecture whose nature is different from what we understand by the term ‘architecture’. This research seeks to define the comparison between cave dwellings in Italy (Sassi di Matera) and Bamyian in Afghanistan. In Bamyian, more than 750 Buddhist caves were hollowed out along a cliff. The caves consist of several types of construction: two niches of standing Grand Buddhas, five niches of Seated Buddhas, domed-ceiling caves, vaulted-ceiling caves, laternendecke-ceiling caves, and flat ceiling caves. About fifty caves have murals remaining inside; various types of figures are depicted in these: buddhas, decorated buddhas, buddhi satva figures (particularly Avalokitesvara), and circular mandala motifs are popular designs were influenced by Sassanian art. Sassi di Matera, located in the southern Italian region of Basilicata comprises a complex of houses, churches, monasteries, and heritages built into the natural caves of the Murgia. The research shows the model of two dwellings is the same in general since a place to settle is a dominant keyword for the two contexts. In detail, environmental conditions (climate and material) and religion have shaped different forms of architecture.