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Analyzing ground maps of Muqarnas (stalactite vaults)
Muqarnas is the Arabic word for stalactite vault, an architectural ornament developed
around the middle of the tenth century in north eastern Iran and almost simultaneously,
but apparently independently, in central North Africa.
A muqarnas is a three-dimensional architectural decoration composed of niche-like
elements arranged in tiers. These elements are described by the Timurid astronomer
and mathematician Ghiyath al-Din al-Kashi (died 1429). The two-dimensional projection
of a muqarnas vault consists of a small variety of simple geometrical elements. The
problems of analyzing these ground maps will be discussed.
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