HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE - Prehistoric and Ancient Architecture (VOCABULARY Flashcards)

A vocabulary-style set of flashcards covering key terms from prehistoric, Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Minoan, and related ancient architectural topics, including megastructures, temple types, and notable monuments.

Göbekli Tepe

A Neolithic site in southeastern Anatolia (Turkey) featuring monumental megalithic structures, likely used for ritual purposes between 9600–8200 BCE.

Jericho

One of the world’s oldest continually inhabited cities, notable for its hilltop location, stone houses, high walls, and towers.

Çatalhöyük

A major Neolithic village in Anatolia known for densely packed rectangular, flat-roofed houses and few streets.

Newgrange

A large, circular Neolithic tomb in Ireland aligned with the winter solstice, famed for its stone façade and quartz.

Meroë Pyramids

Pyramids built by the Kingdom of Kush in Nubia, distinct from Egyptian pyramids.

Mali (Mansa Musa)

West African empire and ruler known for wealth and patronage of architecture; famous for the Hajj pilgrimage.

Nubia

Region along the Nile in what is today southern Egypt and northern Sudan, rich in ancient cultures and monuments.

Lalibela Churches

Rock-cut churches in Ethiopia (12th–13th century), carved directly into rock cliffs.

Kush

Kingdom in Nubia known for pyramids and a distinctive architectural and cultural heritage.

Axum

Ancient Ethiopian kingdom known for monumental architecture and obelisks; important in early Christian history.

Cycladic

Bronze Age culture of the Aegean Sea, known for its art and architecture in the Cyclades.

Hittites

An ancient Anatolian empire noted for monumental architecture and early use of iron; part of Mesopotamian interactions.

Egyptian Mastaba

Ancient Egyptian rectangular tomb with sloping sides, built of mud brick or stone, preceding pyramids.

Step Pyramid (Zoser)

The first large-scale cut-stone pyramid built for King Djoser at Saqqara (Imhotep as architect).

Bent Pyramid

Egyptian pyramid type with a change in slope midway up the sides to reduce weight.

Red Pyramid

One of the first true smooth-sided pyramids in Dahshur; named for the red limestone.

Pyramids of Giza

Three famous Egyptian pyramids (Khufu, Khafre, Menkaure) with a central axis, casing, and complex mortuary structures.

Mortuary Temple

Temple adjacent to a pyramid for offerings and worship of a deceased king.

Valley Temple

Temple connected to a pyramid complex via a causeway, typically used for the Pharaoh’s final journey.

Pyramid Causeway

Covered ceremonial route linking a valley temple to a mortuary temple in Egyptian complexes.

Stela/Stele

A carved stone slab depicting royals and scenes, including offerings and ritual activities.

Hypostyle Hall

Large hall supported by many columns, often with a flat roof in Egyptian temples.

Karnak Temple Complex

Massive Egyptian temple complex near Luxor dedicated to Amun-Re, featuring pylons, hypostyle halls, and ceremonial courts.

Obelisk

A tall, four-sided stone monument tapering to a pyramidion, often inscribed with hieroglyphs.

Pylon

Gateway to an Egyptian temple, typically with monumental twin towers and a doorway between them.

Kiosk (Egyptian)

Freestanding stone canopy structure used in Egyptian temple architecture.

Mammisi

Birth-house shrine within a temple complex dedicated to the god’s or goddess’s offspring.

Barque Temple

Temple room where the image of the Pharaoh or deity is revered, often mobile in processions.

Abu Simbel

Rock-cut temple complex felled into sandstone cliffs, later relocated to avoid flooding from Lake Nasser.

Gaian-Ram Sphinx (Sphinx)

Mythical creature with a lion’s body and human or animal head; featured prominently in Egyptian iconography.

Pylon Temple (Egyptian)

Temple type dominated by monumental gateways or pylons forming the entrance to a sacred precinct.

Minoan Knossos

Largest palace on Crete (Minoan civilization); complex with multiple courts, balconies, and ceremonial spaces.

Giza Sphinx

Iconic monumental sculpture near the Giza pyramids, often associated with pharaonic power and solar rituals.

Megalith

A large stone used in prehistoric monuments; from Greek mega 'great' and lithos 'stone'.

Menhir

A single upright prehistoric standing stone, often part of alignments or megalithic groups.

Dolmen

A prehistoric tomb-like structure formed by two or more upright stones supporting a horizontal capstone.

Cromlech

A stone circle consisting of megalithic stones; often a ceremonial or burial site.

Stone Circle

Circular arrangement of standing stones used for rituals, burials, or celestial observations.

Tumulus

Artificial mound of earth and stones over a grave or graves (burial mound).

Ziggurat of Ur

Mud-brick stepped temple complex in Mesopotamia dedicated to the lunar god Nanna.

Sumerian Architecture

Early Mesopotamian architecture using sun-dried brick and monumental temples on elevated platforms.

Ziggurat (Sumerian)

Stepped pyramidal temple towers with stairs and a shrine on top.

Ishtar Gate

Glazed-brick gate of Babylon, decorated with bulls and dragons, symbolizing royal power.

Assyrian Lamassu

Protective deity depicted as winged bull with a human head, placed at palace entrances.

Babylonian Architecture

Mud-brick construction with decorative friezes and monumental palaces and temples.

Persian Persepolis

A grand capital built by Darius and Xerxes featuring a palace complex and audience halls.

Achaemenid/Persians

First Persian Empire; synthesis of architectural elements from conquered regions.

Temple of Sol Monarchy (Egyptian)

General reference to major cult temples for divine kingship within Egyptian religion.

Harem (Assyrian/Egyptian context)

Private domestic quarters within royal complexes (often inaccessible to public).