Changes In Pre-Historic Time And Ancient Egypt
Architecture in Pre-Historic Time and Ancient Egypt
Architecture, over time has grown both in complexity and purpose, however it all started with the basic need for protection from environmental disturbances, wild animals and other human population. It does not just stop there. Superficial beliefs and other unnatural reasons were also the reasons for the creation of stone circles, monoliths and other monuments that demonstrated/represented a form of symbol. In order to understand the complex changes in architecture during that time frame, it is essential to divide prehistoric age into 3 major ages that had profound developments: Paleolithic Age, Mesolithic Age and Neolithic Age. Ancient Egypt will be discussed in the latter stages of this report (Prehistoric Architecture, n.d).
Prehistoric Architecture
At these period of times several different forms of architectures were created where they were considered to have little architectural value.
Monoliths - The monoliths were very common. They were simply an upright …show more content…
stones that was carved with basic tools to make shapes.
Cromlechs – these are also known as circles of stones or stone circles similar to that of Stonehenge. These circular displacement of vertically placed stones was to allow placement of horizontal structures, therefore acting as a supporting structure.
Dolmens – are the horizontal stones that are placed over cromlechs or monoliths. These are simply architecture where horizontal stones are supported by vertical stones.
Tumuli- were similar to pyramids but were the most basic of its kinds.
Lake Dwellings – were the most common form of architecture discovered around Switzerland and near lakes where horizontal structures were supported over piles in order to provide elevation and protection from attacks both from humans and animals.
Paleolithic Age
It was the largest portion of our human history, which started as early as 2.5 million years ago. The architecture at that time, all began when hominids or an earlier species of Homo sapiens introduced the usage of tools that was made out of stones. It was at this age that they realized that stone can be smashed with another stone to carve out a shape that would provide a functionality to the tool. Throughout this era, humankind was a food gatherer therefore their basic tools or architecture involved was related with food gathering and shelter. For shelter, they had three major forms of structures, firstly and the most basic were the huts. The construction of this structure often included walls that were made up of timber stakes that was organized in a circular manner and for strength support, stones were laid around it. Then was the “Lean-to”, which was structure that was built against one side of a cave, therefore the cave providing space, while the wall providing protection. Finally, tents, which was made out of woods that was covered with animal skin. Stones was also used to provide strength and support for the structure. Throughout this era, the primary material for any form of structure was the stone, since stone not just provided strength and support but also provided tools that allowed them to make such structures or even use it during hunting. Architecture was immensely primitive at this time (Charles Moffat, 2007).
Mesolithic Age
Mesolithic Age of the Middle Stone Age, which started right after the Ice Age that lasted over 10,000 years. During this era the shelters and means of architecture remained same but what changed was the delicacy of individual structures. For example, Microliths were created that was smaller, lighter and more delicate than what you might expect from Paleolithic period. At this time, human societal improvement was on the rise and little architectural changes were noticed (Hila Berliner (2010).
Neolithic Age
Figure A Figure B
This was characterized as the New Stone Age. It was the age where architecture advanced, and the settlements got bigger, with famous examples being the Catal Huyok and Jericho (Figure A and B above).
There was also an agriculture advancement at this era, and primarily for that the involvement polished stone artifacts and ground stones were more common.
At this era the first big architectural creation that was built involved settlement towers and walls, with the inclusion of the famous example the Stonehenge. This huge monumental architectures proved a point that at that period of time there was abundant amount of resources and human labor at that time. Temples were also created to supply hope and purpose to the people at that era. A good example would be the Ggantija temples of Gozo that are still standing to present time. Skara Brae will also be another good example from these era that demonstrated how society’s architectural aspects were constructed and their purpose. This village (Skara Brae) included stone beds, shelves and also had toilets that were closely attached to the stream so that they can wash up right after (About.com,
2013).
Figure C. Skara Brae Interior Architecture
The shelters at this time was basically smaller in size compared to previous ages and was similarly built with the use of timber. The design and functionality of these structures were composed of the ideology of a simple family, thus the rooms were single unit that included stone beds and shelves and even a toilet. However, soon for larger families they built extended houses that included more than one singular rooms. It was during this era that many Megalithic collective tombs were established such as shown in Figure D.
Stonehenge were designed as shown in the figure E below.
Figure E. Stonehenge
Architecture in Ancient Egypt
The distinction that ancient Egypt from other prehistoric times was due to its geographical location. The source of timber was short and the location was desert were implantation of wooden structures or poles would not be sustainable or strong enough. It was primarily due to this that many of the house and shelters built in Ancient Egypt included mud that was sun-dried. However, since mud was easily dissolvable by water, during frequent flooding, these houses will easily collapse and be destroyed. Rain was not common, and most of their water source was from the Nile River, therefore such structures was the only possibility, based on environment, resources and location. Much of what we taken into account about Ancient Egypt is what we still see now, their massive pyramids, tombs and temples that were carved out of granite and limestone that lasted thousands of years and will continue to exist throughout history and future.
Pyramids in Egypt
The primarily reason for the development of pyramids was to build massive tombs for their Pharaohs, who believed that when they die they need to carry their belongings to their afterlife. Their possessions alone were a lot, and that required a huge storage spot. The step-like exterior design and the slopping walls inside were made to great heights since they were supported by a huge base that was capable of lifting heavy and reaching high. The most popular of all the pyramids that was also created earliest in time, was the massive stone monuments of Pyramid of Djoser which was designed by Imhotep.
Columns in Egypt
At that time, there was no arches to carry weight, but what they did was placed columns together in order to support weight. These columns were massive and was well painted with bright colors and carved with Egyptian writings that can last centuries and centuries (Jackien Carven, 2012).
Conclusion
The early days of mankind had not much technological advancement to make such monuments with ease, but it involved a lot of manpower and a lot of people died in the process of making such monuments. People were the major source of heavy lifting. In Egypt a single pyramid stone can be much bigger than a human body, therefore lifting it to high heights involved the usage of people who pulled the stones up high. There was no wheels at that time, therefore they were pulling these stones up high levels with riding it through flat surface that involved even more energy. There is still huge confusion on how people were able to put stones on top of stone circles, when no lifting tool or etc. was noticed. The centuries passed and these structures still remained. It was durability, strength and little functionality that mattered during the prehistoric era (Architecture, 2012).
References
Jackien Carven (2012). What is an Egyptian Column (online). URL: http://architecture.about.com/od/buildingparts/g/egyptian-column.htm
Architecture, 2012. Architecture of the Ancient World (online). URL: http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/world/architecture-architecture-ancient-world.html
Prehistoric Architecture, n.d. Prehistoric Architecture (online). URL: http://www.oldandsold.com/articles22/architecture-1.shtml
Charles Moffat, 2007. Anchient Architecture: The Art History Archive – Architecture (online). URL: http://www.arthistoryarchive.com/arthistory/architecture/Ancient-Architecture.html
Hila Berliner (2010). A journey through five thousand years of Architecture and urban planning in the Western World (online). URL: http://historyofrchitecture.blogspot.com/2010/12/prehistorian-architecture.html
About.com, 2013. Prehistoric Architecture (online). URL: http://architecture.about.com/od/prehistoric/Architecture_in_Prehistoric_Times.htm
Architecture, over time has grown both in complexity and purpose, however it all started with the basic need for protection from environmental disturbances, wild animals and other human population. It does not just stop there. Superficial beliefs and other unnatural reasons were also the reasons for the creation of stone circles, monoliths and other monuments that demonstrated/represented a form of symbol. In order to understand the complex changes in architecture during that time frame, it is essential to divide prehistoric age into 3 major ages that had profound developments: Paleolithic Age, Mesolithic Age and Neolithic Age. Ancient Egypt will be discussed in the latter stages of this report (Prehistoric Architecture, n.d).
Prehistoric Architecture
At these period of times several different forms of architectures were created where they were considered to have little architectural value.
Monoliths - The monoliths were very common. They were simply an upright …show more content…
stones that was carved with basic tools to make shapes.
Cromlechs – these are also known as circles of stones or stone circles similar to that of Stonehenge. These circular displacement of vertically placed stones was to allow placement of horizontal structures, therefore acting as a supporting structure.
Dolmens – are the horizontal stones that are placed over cromlechs or monoliths. These are simply architecture where horizontal stones are supported by vertical stones.
Tumuli- were similar to pyramids but were the most basic of its kinds.
Lake Dwellings – were the most common form of architecture discovered around Switzerland and near lakes where horizontal structures were supported over piles in order to provide elevation and protection from attacks both from humans and animals.
Paleolithic Age
It was the largest portion of our human history, which started as early as 2.5 million years ago. The architecture at that time, all began when hominids or an earlier species of Homo sapiens introduced the usage of tools that was made out of stones. It was at this age that they realized that stone can be smashed with another stone to carve out a shape that would provide a functionality to the tool. Throughout this era, humankind was a food gatherer therefore their basic tools or architecture involved was related with food gathering and shelter. For shelter, they had three major forms of structures, firstly and the most basic were the huts. The construction of this structure often included walls that were made up of timber stakes that was organized in a circular manner and for strength support, stones were laid around it. Then was the “Lean-to”, which was structure that was built against one side of a cave, therefore the cave providing space, while the wall providing protection. Finally, tents, which was made out of woods that was covered with animal skin. Stones was also used to provide strength and support for the structure. Throughout this era, the primary material for any form of structure was the stone, since stone not just provided strength and support but also provided tools that allowed them to make such structures or even use it during hunting. Architecture was immensely primitive at this time (Charles Moffat, 2007).
Mesolithic Age
Mesolithic Age of the Middle Stone Age, which started right after the Ice Age that lasted over 10,000 years. During this era the shelters and means of architecture remained same but what changed was the delicacy of individual structures. For example, Microliths were created that was smaller, lighter and more delicate than what you might expect from Paleolithic period. At this time, human societal improvement was on the rise and little architectural changes were noticed (Hila Berliner (2010).
Neolithic Age
Figure A Figure B
This was characterized as the New Stone Age. It was the age where architecture advanced, and the settlements got bigger, with famous examples being the Catal Huyok and Jericho (Figure A and B above).
There was also an agriculture advancement at this era, and primarily for that the involvement polished stone artifacts and ground stones were more common.
At this era the first big architectural creation that was built involved settlement towers and walls, with the inclusion of the famous example the Stonehenge. This huge monumental architectures proved a point that at that period of time there was abundant amount of resources and human labor at that time. Temples were also created to supply hope and purpose to the people at that era. A good example would be the Ggantija temples of Gozo that are still standing to present time. Skara Brae will also be another good example from these era that demonstrated how society’s architectural aspects were constructed and their purpose. This village (Skara Brae) included stone beds, shelves and also had toilets that were closely attached to the stream so that they can wash up right after (About.com,
2013).
Figure C. Skara Brae Interior Architecture
The shelters at this time was basically smaller in size compared to previous ages and was similarly built with the use of timber. The design and functionality of these structures were composed of the ideology of a simple family, thus the rooms were single unit that included stone beds and shelves and even a toilet. However, soon for larger families they built extended houses that included more than one singular rooms. It was during this era that many Megalithic collective tombs were established such as shown in Figure D.
Stonehenge were designed as shown in the figure E below.
Figure E. Stonehenge
Architecture in Ancient Egypt
The distinction that ancient Egypt from other prehistoric times was due to its geographical location. The source of timber was short and the location was desert were implantation of wooden structures or poles would not be sustainable or strong enough. It was primarily due to this that many of the house and shelters built in Ancient Egypt included mud that was sun-dried. However, since mud was easily dissolvable by water, during frequent flooding, these houses will easily collapse and be destroyed. Rain was not common, and most of their water source was from the Nile River, therefore such structures was the only possibility, based on environment, resources and location. Much of what we taken into account about Ancient Egypt is what we still see now, their massive pyramids, tombs and temples that were carved out of granite and limestone that lasted thousands of years and will continue to exist throughout history and future.
Pyramids in Egypt
The primarily reason for the development of pyramids was to build massive tombs for their Pharaohs, who believed that when they die they need to carry their belongings to their afterlife. Their possessions alone were a lot, and that required a huge storage spot. The step-like exterior design and the slopping walls inside were made to great heights since they were supported by a huge base that was capable of lifting heavy and reaching high. The most popular of all the pyramids that was also created earliest in time, was the massive stone monuments of Pyramid of Djoser which was designed by Imhotep.
Columns in Egypt
At that time, there was no arches to carry weight, but what they did was placed columns together in order to support weight. These columns were massive and was well painted with bright colors and carved with Egyptian writings that can last centuries and centuries (Jackien Carven, 2012).
Conclusion
The early days of mankind had not much technological advancement to make such monuments with ease, but it involved a lot of manpower and a lot of people died in the process of making such monuments. People were the major source of heavy lifting. In Egypt a single pyramid stone can be much bigger than a human body, therefore lifting it to high heights involved the usage of people who pulled the stones up high. There was no wheels at that time, therefore they were pulling these stones up high levels with riding it through flat surface that involved even more energy. There is still huge confusion on how people were able to put stones on top of stone circles, when no lifting tool or etc. was noticed. The centuries passed and these structures still remained. It was durability, strength and little functionality that mattered during the prehistoric era (Architecture, 2012).
References
Jackien Carven (2012). What is an Egyptian Column (online). URL: http://architecture.about.com/od/buildingparts/g/egyptian-column.htm
Architecture, 2012. Architecture of the Ancient World (online). URL: http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/world/architecture-architecture-ancient-world.html
Prehistoric Architecture, n.d. Prehistoric Architecture (online). URL: http://www.oldandsold.com/articles22/architecture-1.shtml
Charles Moffat, 2007. Anchient Architecture: The Art History Archive – Architecture (online). URL: http://www.arthistoryarchive.com/arthistory/architecture/Ancient-Architecture.html
Hila Berliner (2010). A journey through five thousand years of Architecture and urban planning in the Western World (online). URL: http://historyofrchitecture.blogspot.com/2010/12/prehistorian-architecture.html
About.com, 2013. Prehistoric Architecture (online). URL: http://architecture.about.com/od/prehistoric/Architecture_in_Prehistoric_Times.htm