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**PREHISTORIC ARCHITECTURE**

Architecture

The art and science of designing and constructing buildings for protection, comfort, food storage, and the continuation of human life.

Stone Age

The earliest stage of human development characterized by the use of stone tools.

Paleolithic Age

The Old Stone Age; people used stone and bone tools, learned fire

Mesolithic Age

The Middle Stone Age; marked by improved tools, canoes, huts, and early animal domestication.

Neolithic Age

The New Stone Age; characterized by farming, settlements, pottery, and monumental construction.

Bronze Age

Period when metalworking with copper and bronze flourished.

Iron Age

Period characterized by the use of iron and steel tools and weapons.

Rock Shelter

A naturally protected space beneath a cliff or rock overhang used as a dwelling.

Cliff Dwelling

A dwelling built into the sides of cliffs.

Cave

Natural underground shelter used for habitation.

Lean

to

Tent

Portable shelter made from animal skins or fabric stretched over a framework.

Pile Hut

House built on piles or stilts, usually near marshy areas.

Terra Amata Huts

Early known structures in France built by nomadic hunters.

Hearth

A fire area used for cooking and warmth.

Monolith

A single large upright stone.

Menhir (Maenhir)

Tall upright standing stone, often arranged in groups.

Megalith

Large stone used in prehistoric monuments.

Dolmen

Megalithic tomb consisting of a horizontal stone supported by vertical stones.

Cromlech

Circular arrangement of standing stones.

Stone Row

Linear arrangement of upright stones.

Portal Tomb

Tomb formed by two upright stones supporting a capstone.

Passage Tomb

Tomb with a narrow stone passage leading to a burial chamber.

Gallery Tomb

Tomb containing a long gallery

Wedge Tomb

Tomb that narrows toward one end.

Court Tomb

Tomb with a courtyard in front.

Stone Circle Tomb

Circular arrangement of stones associated with burials.

Tumulus

Artificial mound of earth and stones covering a grave.

Barrow

Another term for burial mound.

Kurgan

Burial mound commonly found in Eurasia.

Nea Makri

Neolithic settlement known for stone foundations and mud

Skara Brae

Well

Çatal Hüyük (Çatalhöyük)

Neolithic settlement in Turkey with mud

Jericho

One of the oldest known cities and Neolithic settlements.

Göbekli Tepe

Ancient sanctuary in Turkey believed to be the oldest known place of worship.

**ARCHITECTURE OF PRE

COLUMBIAN AMERICA**

Pre

Columbian Architecture

Mesoamerica

Cultural region including Mexico and parts of Central America.

Olmec

One of the earliest major Mesoamerican civilizations.

Teotihuacan

Major Mesoamerican city and ceremonial center.

Toltec

Civilization known for stone carvings and military symbolism.

Aztec

Last major civilization of Mesoamerica before Spanish conquest.

Maya

Civilization known for advanced cities, temples, and astronomy.

Limestone

Common construction material in Mesoamerica.

Volcanic Rock

Stone used extensively in construction.

Adobe Brick

Sun

Tezontle

Porous volcanic stone favored by the Aztecs.

Animism

Belief that natural objects contain spiritual power.

Capacocha

Inca ritual involving child sacrifice.

Sapa Inca

Emperor of the Inca Empire.

Temple Pyramid

Stepped pyramid serving religious functions.

Monumentality

Architectural quality expressing grandeur and importance.

Post

and

Rubble Masonry

Construction using rough stones.

Jaguar

Sacred animal commonly represented in Mesoamerican art.

Coyote

Symbolic animal in Toltec carvings.

Eagle

Important symbolic figure in Mesoamerican culture.

Roof Comb

Decorative stone structure atop Maya temples.

Corbel Vault

Vault formed by overlapping stones without a keystone.

Keystone

Central stone at the top of an arch.

Temple Pyramid of Cuicuilco

Circular stepped pyramid in Mexico.

Avenue of the Dead

Main ceremonial avenue of Teotihuacan.

Pyramid of the Sun

Large temple pyramid in Teotihuacan.

Citadel

Large ceremonial enclosure at Teotihuacan.

Temple of Quetzalcoatl

Temple dedicated to the Feathered Serpent deity.

Quetzalcoatl

Feathered Serpent god.

Tablero

Decorative panel separating pyramid levels.

Temple of Inscriptions

Temple in Palenque associated with Pakal the Great.

Pakal the Great

Important ruler of Palenque.

Temple of Kukulkan

Pyramid at Chichen Itza dedicated to Kukulkan.

Kukulkan

Maya Feathered Serpent deity.

El Castillo

Another name for the Temple of Kukulkan.

Equinox

Time when day and night are equal in length.

Temple of the Warriors

Temple in Chichen Itza lined with warrior columns.

Great Ball Court

Largest Mesoamerican ball court.

Mitla

Major Zapotec religious center.

Zapotec

Civilization of Oaxaca.

Palace of the Governors

Major palace at Uxmal.

Puuc Architecture

Maya architectural style characterized by decorative stonework.

Chac

Maya rain god.

Tenochtitlan

Capital of the Aztec Empire.

Templo Mayor

Main temple of Tenochtitlan.

Andesite

Volcanic stone used by the Incas.

Yucay Limestone

Stone used in Inca construction.

Diorite Porphyry

Hard stone used in the Andes.

Chan Chan

Capital city of the Chimú Empire.

Temple of the Sun (Moche)

Adobe temple with colorful murals.

Gate of the Sun

Monument at Tiwanaku aligned with the winter solstice.

Sacsahuaman

Massive Inca fortress near Cusco.

Cusco

Capital of the Inca Empire.

Machu Picchu

Inca mountain city and religious center.

Ashlar Masonry

Precision

Mortar

Free Construction

Hiram Bingham

Historian who introduced Machu Picchu to the world in 1911.

Pachacuti

Inca emperor associated with Machu Picchu.

**ARCHITECTURE OF ANCIENT EGYPT**

Nile River

River that supported Egyptian civilization.