Lecture Notes: Prehistoric Architecture & Mesopotamian Civilizations

A set of Q&A flashcards covering Stonehenge, Neolithic transportation, Newgrange, Maltese hypogeum, Nuragic Sardinia, Mesopotamian architecture, writing, and pre-Columbian cultures.

What are the two concentric circles at Stonehenge that include 56 holes and 82 coffin-sized dolerite/bluestone elements, and when did they begin?

Two concentric circles with 56 holes (referred to as orgy holes in the notes) and 82 coffin-sized blue-green dolerite elements, each weighing about two tons; beginning around 2900 BC.

From how far away did the bluestone for Stonehenge originate, and how was it transported?

Bluestone was quarried about 190 miles away and was driven over land for the final portion of the journey.

What Neolithic transportation development is noted as appearing around 3500 BC, and where did its first form appear?

The two-wheeled chariot; the wheel transportation is noted to have originated with early forms appearing in Siberia.

What central question is raised about Stonehenge’s purpose in the notes, aside from being a ceremonial site?

Whether Stonehenge functioned as an astronomical calculator; the notes suggest it was part of a community with ceremonial importance rather than a sacrificial site.

What broader implication is drawn about art and architecture in ancient societies?

The level of art and architecture is a direct reflection of a society’s sophistication, leisure, training, and cultural development.

What is Newgrange, dated around 3200 BC, and what are its key architectural features?

Newgrange is a 3200 BC site with a 60-foot upward-sloping passage, stone lintels, decorative textures, and a white plaster entrance; includes air vents along the passage.

What is the Maltese hypogeum?

A subterranean, fully carved temple complex that is open to the sky in part; an underground rock-cut architectural achievement.

What are some famous prehistoric female figurines mentioned, and what do they symbolize?

The Venus of Willendorf and the Sleeping Lady of Sofia; iconic prehistoric art that provides insight into symbolic representation and culture.

What is a Lamassu and where are such figures typically found?

A massive human–animal hybrid guardian figure placed at palace gates in Mesopotamian architecture.

How is the ziggurat related to pyramids, according to the notes?

The ziggurat is a stepped temple form in Mesopotamia that was influenced by pyramid concepts seen in other cultures.

Who was Sargon the Great and what was his historical achievement?

An Akkadian king who united the Akkadians and Sumerians under one rule, establishing a precedent for centralized governance (roughly 2334–2279 BCE).

What are some notable features of the city of Ur as described in the notes?

A major urban center with massive brick walls, a citadel, marinas, and a monumental temple complex—indicative of sophisticated urban planning and monumental architecture.

What architectural advancement is described as predating Greece and Rome in Mesopotamia, and how does it work?

The arch; predates classical arches and operates without a keystone at first, relying on interlocking voussoirs to form a self-supporting opening.

Why are the Tigris and Euphrates rivers important in the discussion of Mesopotamian settlements?

Rivers provided fertile land and enabled irrigation canals, supporting agricultural surplus and the growth of urban populations; they also influenced rock-cut architecture.

What is the significance of the term 'Nuragic' in Sardinia?

refers to massive circular stone structures and complexes (nuraghi) on the island of Sardinia, highlighting sophisticated organization and settlement patterns.

What is notable about the Gozo temple complex in Malta?

A Neolithic megalithic temple complex on Gozo with substantial stone structures; indicative of advanced ceremonial architecture in the region.

What is the limestone and brick construction technique emphasized for Mesopotamian walls?

Massive brick walls with thick sections for vertical stability; a combination of sun-dried and kiln-fired bricks, sometimes with bitumen in mortar.

What is the Acropolis-like feature described in the Palace of Saragon, and what is its architectural significance?

A fortified royal city with a high, stage-like acropolis and large protective gates guarded by lamassu-like guardians, illustrating advanced city planning and fortification.

What is the Palace of Saragon known for in terms of decorative and symbolic elements?

Massive lamassu guardians and multi-level rock-cut lamassu sculptures guarding gates, symbolizing protection and divine kingship.

What does the text say about ancient writing and its role in Mesopotamian civilization?

Writing emerged in Sumer (cuneiform), used for documentation such as legal transactions and inventories; Babylonian administration later blended Akkadian and Sumerian languages for official and religious uses.

Which pre-Columbian North American cultures are mentioned, and what are they known for?

Hopewell (400–700 AD), Troyville, Coles Creek, Plum Bayou in the Southeast; Anasazi/Fremont/Hohokam in the Southwest; noted for mounds, ceramics, and monumental architectural remnants.

What overarching idea about time and geography is emphasized in the notes?

Life and architectural development occurred across many regions; civilizations rise and fall due to a range of factors (disease, climate, economics), and architectural ideas are shared yet locally expressed.

What are the three elements of Vitruvius’s architectural ideal, and what do they mean?

Firmitas (firmness/structure), Commoditas (utility/utility of space), Venustas (delight/beauty); architecture should be sturdy, functional, and beautiful.