Influences of Architecture in Prehistory

Study Notes

Influences of Architecture

Influenced by geographical, geological, climatic, religious, social, and historical factors.

Prehistoric Era

Represents the period before written records, using objects as forms of documentation.
Challenges include interpreting non-verbal messages in artifacts.

Influences

Religion played a role even without organized structure; respect for the dead through burial rituals and monuments.
Architectural characteristics were defined by the available materials: animal skins, wooden frames, and animal bones.
Construction systems utilized natural formations, such as existing caves.
Decorative practices included cave paintings found in Africa, France, and Spain.

Historical Context

Human ancestors, like Homo habilis and Homo sapiens, evolved in Africa over 2.3 million years ago.
Tool development from stone, wood, and bone contributed to human survival and migration.
Initial human migration spread to Southern Europe and Asia but was limited in colder northerly regions.
Transition from nomadic hunting and gathering to farming and agriculture occurred around 9000 BC.
Domestication of animals for labor and food led to the establishment of communities.
First villages emerged in regions such as the Middle East, South America, Central America, India, and China.

Stone Age

Divided into three periods:
- Paleolithic (Old Stone Age, c. 40,000 - 8000 BC): Predominantly a nomadic lifestyle focused on hunting.
- Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age, c. 8000 - 7000 BC): Transitional period between hunting and agriculture.
- Neolithic (New Stone Age, c. 7000 - 2300 BC): Initiation of year-round settlements.

Age Definitions

Paleo: means "old"; Meso: means "middle/between"; Neo: means "new"; Lith: relates to "stone"; Mega: means "large/great."

Bronze and Iron Age

The Bronze Age included significant cultural advancements during the Minoan period in Crete and the Greek period.
The Iron Age occurred approximately 25 to 50 years before Julius Caesar's time.

Early Structures

Rock caves marked the first human settlements, categorized into:
- Natural Caves: naturally occurring formations used for shelter.
- Artificial Caves: structures made by humans.
- Tipi: portable tent-like shelters used by Native Americans.
- Beehive Hut: circular structures, typical in Kerry, Ireland, featuring corbelled roofs.
- Hogan: Navaho dwelling made from earth and logs, often covered with mud and sod.
- Igloo: traditional Eskimo house constructed from snow or ice blocks.
- Wigwam: round or oval American Indian dwelling made with materials like bark or animal skins.
- Trullo: distinct dwellings in Southern Italy characterized by square chambers topped with conical roofs.

Description

Explore the various influences of architecture during the prehistoric era, including factors like geography, climate, and religion. Delve into the challenges of interpreting non-verbal messages from artifacts and learn about the materials and construction systems used by our ancestors. This quiz covers the significant architectural characteristics shaped by the environment and early human society.