Prehistoric, Neolithic, and Indus Valley Architecture Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing core definitions, periods, structures, and sites across Prehistoric, Megalithic, and Indus Valley Architecture.

Prehistoric Architecture

Buildings, shelters, settlements, monuments, and construction practices developed by humans before the invention and widespread use of written records.

Paleolithic Period

The Old Stone Age (approx. $2.6\text{ million BCE}$ to $10,000\text{ BCE}$), characterized by a nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyle and temporary shelters such as natural caves and simple huts.

Mesolithic Period

The Middle Stone Age (approx. $10,000\text{--}8,000\text{ BCE}$ onwards), a transitional phase marked by semi-nomadic living, semi-permanent settlements, and increased tool refinement.

Microliths

Very small, carefully shaped stone tools associated with Mesolithic cultures, used as arrowheads, cutting tools, and components of composite tools.

Neolithic Period

The New Stone Age (beginning around $10,000\text{ BCE}$), characterized by agriculture, animal domestication, permanent settlements, food storage, and organized community living.

Mud Brick

A major Neolithic building material made by mixing soil or clay with water and organic materials like straw, shaped into blocks and dried in the sun.

Neolithic Long Houses

Large, elongated residential structures built with timber frameworks and rectangular plans to accommodate extended families, domestic activities, animals, and storage.

Çatalhöyük

A famous Neolithic settlement in present-day Türkiye occupied around $7000\text{ BCE}$, notable for dense housing without street spaces, rooftop circulation, and ladder access.

Megalithic Architecture

Prehistoric structures constructed using large stones ('mega' meaning large, 'lithos' meaning stone), typically serving funerary, ritual, or ceremonial functions.

Menhir

A single large, vertically standing stone erected individually or as part of a larger arrangement as a ritual, memorial, or territorial marker.

Dolmen

A megalithic funerary structure consisting of large vertical supporting stones topped by one or more horizontal capstones.

Long Barrow

An elongated earth- or stone-covered burial monument containing an internal burial chamber and access passage.

Stonehenge

A prehistoric monumental complex in southern England built in phases starting around $3000\text{ BCE}$, featuring concentric circular stone arrangements, trilithons, and solar alignment.

Indus Valley Civilization

Also known as the Harappan Civilization, a Bronze Age civilization that flourished from $2600\text{--}1900\text{ BCE}$ during its Mature phase, known for advanced urban planning and civic infrastructure.

Standardized Harappan Bricks

Baked and mud bricks manufactured in standard proportions of approximately $1:2:4$ for width, breadth, and length across Harappan settlements.

Mohenjo-Daro

A primary urban center of the Harappan Civilization whose name translates to 'Mound of the Dead,' famous for its planned streets, grid layout, and civic infrastructure.

Harappan Citadel

An elevated platform area within Harappan cities housing major public, administrative, or ritual structures.

Harappan Lower Town

The extensive residential sector of a Harappan city, composed of domestic dwellings organized into street blocks.

Great Bath

A iconic brick public structure at Mohenjo-Daro featuring a large rectangular waterproofed tank, surrounding rooms, and descending steps, likely used for ritual bathing.

Harappan Storage Structures

Large civic buildings traditionally interpreted as granaries, used to store agricultural surplus and indicating centralized resource management.

Steatite Seals

Carved stone artefacts decorated with animals, symbols, and undeciphered script, used in Harappan administrative, identity, and trade practices.

Bronze Dancing Girl

A notable bronze artifact excavated from Mohenjo-Daro demonstrating advanced Harappan metal casting techniques and artistic craftsmanship.

Dholavira

A prominent Harappan city known for its sophisticated water storage systems, reservoirs, and stone architecture.

Lothal

A key Harappan settlement recognized for its dockyard facilities and role in maritime trade.