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    Prehistoric Architecture

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    Abhishek Venkitaraman Iyer
    1) The document provides an overview of prehistoric architecture from the earliest migrations of Homo sapiens out of Africa until the New Stone Age. 2) Early humans lived nomadically in temporary shelters before settling permanently in organized villages during the New Stone Age, when agriculture and domestication of animals was developed. 3) Architecture evolved from simple structures using perishable materials to permanent dwellings and monuments made of stone, with improvements in construction techniques, building types, and principles of organization. This marked the beginning of civilization.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Prehistoric Architecture

    Uploaded by

    Abhishek Venkitaraman Iyer
    1K views84 pages
    1) The document provides an overview of prehistoric architecture from the earliest migrations of Homo sapiens out of Africa until the New Stone Age. 2) Early humans lived nomadically in temporary shelters before settling permanently in organized villages during the New Stone Age, when agriculture and domestication of animals was developed. 3) Architecture evolved from simple structures using perishable materials to permanent dwellings and monuments made of stone, with improvements in construction techniques, building types, and principles of organization. This marked the beginning of civilization.

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    History of Architecture Lectures

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    1) The document provides an overview of prehistoric architecture from the earliest migrations of Homo sapiens out of Africa until the New Stone Age. 2) Early humans lived nomadically in temporary shelters before settling permanently in organized villages during the New Stone Age, when agriculture and domestication of animals was developed. 3) Architecture evolved from simple structures using perishable materials to permanent dwellings and monuments made of stone, with improvements in construction techniques, building types, and principles of organization. This marked the beginning of civilization.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    1K views84 pages

    Prehistoric Architecture

    Uploaded by

    Abhishek Venkitaraman Iyer
    1) The document provides an overview of prehistoric architecture from the earliest migrations of Homo sapiens out of Africa until the New Stone Age. 2) Early humans lived nomadically in temporary shelters before settling permanently in organized villages during the New Stone Age, when agriculture and domestication of animals was developed. 3) Architecture evolved from simple structures using perishable materials to permanent dwellings and monuments made of stone, with improvements in construction techniques, building types, and principles of organization. This marked the beginning of civilization.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 84
    At a glance
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    The document discusses the early history of architecture from prehistoric times through the development of ancient civilizations. It covers topics like early human migration patterns, primitive shelters, religious structures, and settlements like Catal Huyuk.

    The earliest humans are believed to have migrated out of Africa across the Bab-al-Mandab Strait separating present-day Yemen from Djibouti. They then colonized the Eurasian landmass.

    Some of the earliest forms of human shelter discussed include temporary structures made of materials like branches, animal skins, mud, and woven materials. Structures ranged from simple huts to tents.

    HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE

    LECTURE 1
    Introduction: Prehistoric Architecture

    Abhishek K. Venkitaraman

    Assistant Professor

    Early Human Migration out of Africa

    Earliest Homo Sapien


    fossils have been
    found in Ethiopia

    Africa

    West Asia

    Europe

    East & South


    Asia

    North
    America
    Australia

    South
    America

    Early Human Migration out of Africa

    The earliest people to colonize the


    Eurasian landmass probably did so across
    the Bab-al-Mandab Strait separating
    present-day Yemen from Djibouti

    Development of Early Culture

    Living in caves - hunting


    Settlements developed near caves or along
    shores and streams farming & hunting
    Understanding of seasons Cultivation
    Domestication of animals
    Specialized tools were developed. Religious &
    communal aspects building arts developed

    Different societies developed differently

    natural determinants
    topography (location)
    climate
    natural resources, building materials and technology

    man-made determinants
    trade
    political power
    religion
    defense
    mobility
    ethnical issues
    Etc

    Circular Layout

    Primitive Settlements
    Non - organized settlements

    organized settlements

    And when we saw all those cities and villages built in


    the water and other great towns on dry land, and that
    straight and level causeway leading to Tenochtitlan, we
    were amazedIndeed, some of our soldiers asked if it
    was not all a dream (Spanish chronicler, Bernal Diaz
    del Castillo) describing Aztec Chinampa agriculture

    DISCOVERY
    OF
    FIRE

    DISCOVERY OF WHEEL

    In Popular Culture: Flintstones

    ZERO ENERGY HOUSE

    P a l e o l i t h i c C a v e P a i n t i n g s , To o l s

    Apollo 11 cavestones 25,500 B.C.E


    Rock painting Ubirr,
    Australia

    Lascaux, France 30,000 B.C.E

    Principles of Architectural Organization

    Two forces shaped the form of dwellings and


    settlements:
    Functional need
    Available construction materials and technology

    Religion, Culture, Architecture

    Mediterranean

    Mother Goddess, fertility cult

    Mesopotamia
    Egypt

    Fertility cult, slowly replaced by a complex


    set of Gods
    Complex set of Gods

    China

    Shamanistic (vast network of villages)

    Different regions developed with different environmental and social factors


    Architecture differed Buildings for the dead, buildings for the living, temples, granaries, etc.

    Architecture of the Civilization


    NEW STONE AGE
    Established permanent dwellings and
    settlements Catal Huyuk, Jericho
    Improvement in house form including change
    to rectangular rooms
    Introduction of multi-room houses
    Introduction of non-residential buildings-for
    work, storage & rituals
    Open village layouts with streets
    Increase in number and size of villages

    Architecture of the Civilization


    Funerary and religious buildings were
    introduced during new Stone Age
    FUNERARY BUILDINGS
    Structures such as tombs used for rituals and
    burial for the dead
    Example we studied is the Dolmen Tomb

    Architecture of the Civilization


    RELIGIOUS BUILDINGS
    Evidence of the first practices of religion
    Buildings used for rituals related to worship
    and religion
    Example is found in the shrines embedded
    within Catal Huyuk

    Architecture of the Civilization


    RITUAL BUILDINGS
    Buildings whose functions are not entirely
    certain
    Usually associated with ritual ceremonial
    activities
    Activities may be related to religion
    Examples are the Stone Alignment, Carnac and
    the Stonehenge, England

    Building Materials, Construction & Technologies

    Characteristics of prehistoric architecture will


    be examined under three headings:
    Building Types

    Building materials,
    construction and
    technologies

    Principles of
    architectural
    organization

    Building Types
    Categories of Prehistoric buildings
    Dwellings and settlements
    Funerary and Religious buildings
    Ritual structures

    Vocabulary
    Neolithic: the new Stone Age (8,000 2300 BCE), which
    marked the beginnings of monumental (extremely large)
    architecture
    corbeled vault: a vault formed by the piling of stone blocks in
    horizontal courses, cantilevered inward until the two walls meet
    in an arch
    post and lintel: one of the earliest methods of architectural
    construction in which two posts (sometimes called uprights)
    support a lintel (horizontal beam which rests across the top)

    Vocabulary
    megalith: a large stone used in the construction of a prehistoric
    structure
    Cromlech: a circle of megaliths, as at Stonehenge

    Prehistoric Architecture
    Occurred before invention of written records
    Also called Stone Age period because of the absence
    of metal implements
    Occurred from Human Habitation of earth to 9000 BC

    Prehistoric Architecture
    The history of man can be classified into different
    stages and with it corresponding structures were built:
    1. Savage stage or the Old Stone Age or the Paleolithic
    age. Up to 9000 BC
    2. Barbarian stage or the New Stone Age or the
    Neolithic age. 9000 BC to 3000 BC
    3. Iron or Bronze Age

    Prehistoric Architecture
    Not restricted to any particular geographical region
    Occurred in different localities
    Usually close to sources of food, near rivers

    Architecture of the Civilization


    Residential building and settlements varied
    between early and new Stone Age periods
    EARLY STONE AGE
    Always on the move
    Used temporary structures
    Provided basic shelter and protection for short
    periods of time

    Principles of Architectural Organization

    DWELLINGS AND SETTLEMENTS:


    EARLY STONE AGE
    Primary requirement is for temporary structure
    No desire to invest in construction of dwellings
    Constructed dwellings using available materials
    Form directly reflecting natural objects

    Materials, Construction System & Technique


    EARLY STONE AGE
    Used simple, easily available materials
    Usually of plant and animal materials such as
    wooden poles, grasses, leaves, and animal skins
    Construction system was also simple
    Usually involves digging holes, putting wooden
    poles in holes and burying them
    The poles are tied together to create the shell of
    the building
    The shell is covered with grasses, leaves or animal
    skins

    The Old Stone Age


    Before 9000 BC
    Where people used crude stone for their implements.
    Man was a hunter and a food gatherer
    Got their food through food gathering, hunting and fishing
    Constructed temporary shelters from perishable materials
    such as tree trunks and leaves.
    He also made use of natural and man-made caves both
    below and above ground as shelter.

    The Old Stone Age


    The method of living was temporary
    Nomadic, always on the move
    Move about in search of food, water, and
    good climate

    Usually move about in small bands of


    less than 15 persons
    Their lifestyle made them barely able
    to survive
    Not much is known about their beliefs

    Great stone tower built into


    the settlement wall, Jericho,
    ca. 8000-7000 BCE

    Neolithic Jericho was protected by 5-foot-thick walls and at least one


    stone tower 30 feet high and 33 feet in diameter. An outstanding
    achievement that marks the beginning of monumental architecture.

    The New Stone Age


    Cave Dwellings

    Handmade
    shelters

    History of
    Architecture
    began

    When early man emerged from


    cave dwellings into shelters
    created by his hands
    The history of architecture
    began
    .

    The New Stone Age


    Lasted from 8,000 to 3,000BC
    People used polished stone for their implements
    Their method of housing was made more permanent with
    the use of durable materials.
    Discovered art of farming and animal husbandry
    People become more domesticated and were
    preoccupied with cattle raising and planting
    Learned to domesticate animals, farm and grow crops,
    make pottery and weave cloth

    The New Stone Age


    Neolithic people acquired confidence in
    ability to tame and control nature
    Period saw interest in natural cycles such as
    of weather and heavenly bodies
    e.g. sun and moon

    People learned to differentiate between


    spaces and places sacred versus
    everyday places
    Architecture was born

    The New Stone Age


    Having fulfilled his basic need, Neolithic man sought to
    conquer fear of the unknown
    Needed to understand forces of nature that both nourishes
    and destroys
    Sought to understand the heavenly bodies and weather
    cycles
    Sought to control nature through rituals and magic
    Gradually introduced the idea of religion
    Confusion about death and life after death led to
    introduction of tombs
    Tombs are evidence of social differences in the society

    The New Stone Age


    Skills were developed, marking start of
    civilization
    People stopped wandering and settled down in
    permanent settlements
    Discovery: result of population pressure
    Introduction of basic social organization of
    society
    Villages were established and grew,
    protected by walls

    Materials, Construction System & Technique


    NEW STONE AGE

    More diversified construction materials


    Adobe and stone most popular materials
    Large stone was used for monuments
    Construction method also improved over time
    Significant improvement in Adobe construction
    Evidence of ability to quarry, shape, transport
    and join large stones to create monuments

    Principles of Architectural Organization


    DWELLINGS AND SETTLEMENTS:
    NEW STONE AGE

    Became settled requiring permanent dwellings


    Required durable construction
    Improved dwellings and settlements to meet needs
    Change in form of house, introduction of furniture
    and differentiation of space
    Improvement in village form including introduction
    of streets
    Improvement in construction technology

    Corbeled vault of the main


    chamber in the passage
    grave, Newgrange, Ireland,
    ca. 3200-2500 BCE

    The Newgrange passage


    grave is an early example of
    corbeled vaulting. The huge
    stones (megaliths) of the
    dome of the main burial
    chamber beneath the tumulus
    are held in place by their own
    weight.

    Aerial view of ruins of Hagar Qim, Malta, ca. 32002500 BCE

    One of the earliest stone temples in the world is on the


    island of Malta. The 5,000-year-old structure is
    remarkably sophisticated for its date, especially in the
    combination of rectilinear and curved forms.

    Stonehenge
    (3100-2000 BC)

    Wiltshire,
    England

    Aerial view (looking northwest) of Stonehenge, Salisbury Plain,


    England, ca. 2550-1600 BCE. Circle is 97 in diameter; trilithons 24
    high.
    The circles of trilithons at Stonehenge probably functioned as an
    astronomical observatory and solar calendar. The sun rises over its
    heel stone at the summer solstice. Some of the megaliths weigh 50
    tons.

    Prehistoric Architecture: Stonehenge


    Neolithic architecture
    Post and lintel construction
    Megaliths are 21 to 24 feet tall, including height of lintel,
    and buried four feet in the ground
    Cromlech http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cromlech
    Solar and lunar orientation
    Stones dragged from far away to this site
    Circle of megaliths embrace structure, enclosing it

    Functions of Stonehenge:

    Cremation / burial site

    Astrological observatory
    Solar calendar

    Sacred site

    The oldest detailed drawing of Stonehenge, found in a


    1440 manuscript, the Scala Mundi

    Several
    Phases
    (stages)
    of Construction

    The lintels (horizontal monoliths) were fitted to one another using a


    woodworking method, the tongue-and-groove joint

    Bronze Age
    Started around 2,000BC, when iron was
    discovered.
    Carpentry and masonry was practiced.
    There was a gradual improvement in the
    design of buildings, particularly in Egypt.

    Huts from vegetation

    Space inside is organized for different uses


    The hut was used by a band of people for limited hunting
    days
    It is left to collapse after use and new huts built over by
    the next years hunting season

    Temporary Structures:
    Hut at Terra Amata, France

    Early stone people constructed temporary


    shelters using available materials
    One of earliest known example

    Discovered in 1966 at Terra Amata in France


    Dates back to 400,000 years
    Oval in shape and constructed of tree branches

    HUTS
    Bambuti Hut huts show
    evidence of use of leaves to
    cover hut

    The Tongus Hut show evidence


    of use of grass to make huts

    Tents from Animal Skin

    The Lapp Tent


    The Lapp tenth shows the use of animal skins

    Mud Construction
    Improvement in technology led to mud construction and
    architecture

    Brushwood Hut

    Wood framed
    huts

    Round House, Israel

    Stilt House

    Tepees of American Indians

    trullo: Southern Italy

    yurts : Mongolia

    Neolithic Dwelling & Settlement: Catal Huyuk


    Neolithic monument in
    present day Turkey
    Occupied between 6300
    BC to 5400 BC
    Supported a population
    of up to 6000 people
    Largest and most
    cosmopolitan city of its
    time

    Catal Huyuk
    Had extensive economy
    based on specialized
    craft and commerce
    The city was a trading
    center
    The size of the city and
    its wealth are a product
    of its status as a trading
    center

    Settlement, Catal Huyuk, Turkey

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