Ancient Architecture and Archaeological Site Terminology: Neolithic to Middle Kingdom Egypt

prehistoric

the time or period before recorded or written history

plan

a specific type of drawing representing a building from seem above, displaying walls windows and entrances

half-timbering

Exposed wood framing with spaces between the wooden timbers is often filled with plaster, brick, or stone

Section Plan

cuts through a model to show a plan and or side view

elevation plan

diagram showing the external face of a building showing height at a set scale

Catal Hoyuk(Turkey) 7,000 BCE Neolithic

Terra Amata(France) 400,000 BCE Paleolithic

mastaba

an ancient Egyptian mudbrick tomb with a rectangular base and sloping sides and flat roof, typically constructed with mud brick or limestone

celestory

highest section of a wall that contains rows of windows or open space to allow light and fresh air inside

engaged column

a column that is embedded in the wall and is partly projects from the surface of the wall

necropolis

an elaborate burial site where the deceased were interred, often located outside city proper.

ziggurat

a pyramid stepped temple tower, characterisitcs of ancient Mesopotamian architecture, notable the Ziggurat of ur

temonos

area that is assigned as an official domain, that is dedicated to a god or deity

The Ziggurat at Ur-Nammu(Iraq) 2100 BCE Early Brozens period

Mortuary Complex of Zoser(egypt) 2600 BCE Old Kingdom Egypt

Pyramid of Khufu(egypt) 2500 BCE Old Kingdom Egypt

masonry

stonework or brickwork

dry mansonry

Brick or stone construction without use of mortar.

megalith

a large stone that forms a prehistoric monument

menhir

large, upright standing stone often used in monument in prehistoric times

trilithon

a structure consisting of two large vertical stones (posts) supporting a third stone set horizontally across the top (lintel)

trabeation

use of horizontal stone beams or lintels for the support of vertical post or columns

Carnac Stones(France) 3500 BCE Neolithic

Stonehedge(England) 2500 BCE Neolithic

hypostyle hall

a roof supported by rows of columns, to create a vast open interior for temples, palaces, buildings without creating arches

Colonade

a row of regularly spaced columns to support the roof

Pylon

momumental gateway of a ancient egyptian temple charateristized by two truncated pyramidal towers

Obelisk

a stone pillar, having a square or rectangular cross section and a pyramidal top, set up as a monument or landmark.

Mortuary temple of Mentuhotep(Egypt) 2050 BCE Middle Kingdom Egypt

Karnak Temple(Egypt) 1300 BCE Middle Kingdom Egypt

Luxor Temple(Egypt) 1350 BCE Middle Kingdom Egypt

Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut(Egypt) 1470 BCE Middle Kingdom Egypt