HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE 01 PRE HISTORIC TO EGYPTIAN (1)

History of Architecture

• Timeline: From Prehistoric to Ancient Roman Architecture

Prehistoric Periods

• Stone Age

  • Old Stone Age (Paleolithic): Characterized by the use of stone tools.

  • Middle Stone Age (Mesolithic): Introduction of agriculture.

  • New Stone Age (Neolithic): Domestication of crops and animals, establishment of permanent settlements and chiefdoms.

• Bronze Age: Marked by the invention of writing and advancements in metalworks.

• Iron Age: Coincided with the rise of the Roman Empire.

Prehistoric Conditions

• Direct human ancestors evolved in Africa from approximately 3.3 million years ago, including species like Homo habilis, Homo erectus, Homo sapiens, and homo sapiens sapiens.

Key Developments

• Tool Development: Human success linked to the creation of tools fashioned from stone, wood, and bone.

Agriculture and Settlement

• By 9000 BC, the practice of farming and agriculture emerged, leading to:

  • Fertile soil and abundant food resources.

  • Domestication of animals for labor, milk, and wool.

  • A tendency for humans to settle down in fixed locations.

Natural Factors Influencing Settlement Locations

• Choices for settlement affected by:

  • Potential for natural calamities, e.g., volcanic eruptions, floods, and fire.

  • Availability of fertile soil, freshwater bodies, and other natural resources.

  • Terrain features for natural defenses.

  • Climate considerations.

Notable Early Settlements

• Jericho: Established around 9000 B.C.E.

• Khirokitia: Dated to 7000 B.C.E.

• Catalhoyuk: Emerged around 7000 B.C.

• Primary construction materials included animal skin, wooden frames, bones, and stones.

Prehistoric Burial Practices

• Early humans treated their deceased with respect, leading to the establishment of burial rites and monuments.

• Early construction often utilized existing caves and megalithic structures.

Prehistoric Megaliths

• Menhir: A large upright stone, often arranged in rows for religious purposes. Example: Menhir du Champ Dolent.

• Dolmen: A tomb formed by standing stones topped with a horizontal slab. Example: Bujeong-ri Dolmen in South Korea.

• Cromlech: An enclosure made up of large stones arranged in a circular configuration, e.g., Occabe Cromlechs in France.

• Tumulus/Passage Grave: Artificial mounds serving as graves for important figures. Example: Newgrange, built around 3200 BC.

Developments in Dwelling Types

• Natural/Artificial Caves: Provided protection; depicted in cave paintings.

• Beehive Hut: Circular stone structures topped by a domed roof.

• Trullo: Traditional dry stone hut from Apulia with a conical roof.

• Wigwam: Domed dwellings used by Native Americans, often covered with bark.

• Tepee: Conical tents made from animal skins and wooden poles, used predominantly by Plains Indigenous peoples.

• Hogan: Traditional Navajo dwelling, with designs oriented towards natural elements.

• Igloo: Snow houses constructed by the Inuit, with remarkable insulation properties despite extreme external conditions.

• Nigerian Hut: Cylindrical mud walls with thatched roofs.

• Iraqi Mudhif: Communal reed houses used by the Madan people in southern Iraq.

• Sumatran House: Known as batak houses, raised timber structures accommodating multiple families.

Architecture of the Ancient World

• Focused on the Near East, especially Mesopotamian influences under leaders like Sargon of Akkad and Hammurabi.

• Development of ziggurats with characteristic terraced structures, such as the White Temple of Uruk.

Ziggurats

• Built as religious structures, featuring central arrangements and monumental designs.

• Ishtar Gate: An entrance to Babylon adorned with glazed bricks featuring lions, symbolizing power and protection.

Persian Architecture

• Characterized by influences from various colonies and an emphasis on grand scale and administration.

• The Royal Palace at Persepolis exhibits extensive use of columns and relief carvings showing homage to the king.

Egyptian Architecture

• Ancient Egypt's architecture hinged on religious beliefs, evident in tombs, temples, and mastabas.

• Noteworthy structures include:

  • Mastaba: Flat-roofed tomb structures.

  • Pyramids: Such as the Pyramids of Giza serving as monumental tombs for pharaohs, representing advancements in construction techniques.

  • Valley of the Kings: A burial site for Pharaohs, known for rich decorations and archaeological significance.