Fresco and mosaic decoration in the Umayyad Desert Palaces in Jordan

In this thesis, the frescoes and mosaic decorations of Qusayr Amra, Qasr Al Hallabat, Qasr Al Qastal and West Qasr Al Qastsl palaces belonging to the Umayyad Period are discussed in detail. Information about both wall decoration techniques is given, and which techniques are used in the decoration of the palaces. Based on the decorations of these four palaces, it is aimed to reveal a general information about the decoration art of the Umayyad Period. The fresco and mosaic decorations belonging to the Umayyad Period were compared with the fresco and mosaic decorations dated to earlier periods, especially the Roman and Byzantine Periods, and the similar and different aspects of the paintings were explained. The effects of the decoration styles of the early periods on the decorations of the palaces have been revealed. In the decorations of the palaces, the similarities with the decorations of the early periods draw attention, especially in terms of the subject covered. However, the decoration artists of the Umayyad desert palaces adapted the themes similar to the early periods to the Umayyad Period. One of the best examples of this is the depiction of the wild zebra figure, whose habitat is the Jordan Region, in the hunting scenes in the decorations. On the other hand, original paintings were found in palaces, especially in the Kusayr Amra Palace. The likes of the Six Kings, planetarium and craftsman scenes unearthed in the fresco decorations of the Kusayr Amra Palace could not be found in the past. These works, which have no equivalent in terms of subject and processing, are of great importance for the history of art. In this thesis, which deals with the plants and geometric motifs, human and animal figures, inscriptions and mythological elements in the decorations of the palaces, it is aimed to form a general opinion about the palace decorations in the Jordanian deserts and to reveal the importance of the rare artifacts in the palaces.