Prehistoric Architecture PDF

HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE REVIEWER MODULE 1 PREHISTORIC ARCHITECTURE I. Introduction 1\. The Ancient Greek words προ Pre= "Before " Ιστορία historia = \"history \" \- includes the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation about the past records of events. - - The Préhistorique is fir...

HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE REVIEWER MODULE 1 PREHISTORIC ARCHITECTURE I. Introduction 1\. The Ancient Greek words προ Pre= "Before " Ιστορία historia = \"history \" \- includes the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation about the past records of events. - - The Préhistorique is first called by French scholar Paul Toumal, referring to the time before people recorded history in writing. \- This is the longest period in the past of modern man (Homo Sapiens) that lasted about 400,000 years 2\. Paleolithic -- Old Stone Age, FOOD. Men hunted and women gathered from around the area as needed. SHELTER There were no permanent homes because they hunted and gathered, they had to move to where the food was. Homes were temporary CLOTHING Clothing was made primarily from fur The climate during the time was cold, so people dressed to stay warm 2\. Neolithic -- New Stone Age. FOOD People learned how to grow crops People domesticated animals, insects and fish to provide meat, skins, and milk SHELTER They had permanent homes. Homes were usually made from timber, wattle & daub, or mud brick CLOTHING furs and fastened with antlers or bone pins Use of natural dyes. In some places, people were able to make fabric using linen and wool. 3\. Mesolithic -- Middle Stone Age,\... II\. Characteristics 1\. Materials Used **2. Construction Techniques** - - III\. Key Types. Menhir . Dolmen Tumulus Cromlech Trilithon  \`  IV. Stonehenge, located on **Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England,** is one of the world\'s most famous prehistoric monuments. Its construction began around **3000 BCE** and continued in several phases until about **1600 BCE**. The site consists of a circular arrangement of large standing stones, with some sourced from as far away as the **Preseli Hills in Wales**, over 150 miles (250 km) away. The purpose of Stonehenge has been the **subject of much debate.** While it was once thought to be a temple, recent research suggests it may have served multiple functions, including as a burial ground, a place for healing, and an astronomical observatory. The alignment of the stones with the solstices indicates its possible use in tracking celestial events. Archaeological evidence, such as human remains and artifacts found at the site, supports the idea that Stonehenge was a significant ceremonial and ritual site for the people who built it. The monument\'s enduring mystery and grandeur continue to captivate researchers and visitors alike, making it a **UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986.** The site was **constructed by hunter-gatherer communities during the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period,** a time when agriculture had not yet been developed. This challenges the traditional view that settled communities and monumental architecture only emerged after the advent of farming. The pillars are adorned with intricate carvings of animals and human-like figures, providing rare insights into prehistoric religion and iconography. Göbekli Tepe\'s significance lies in its demonstration that early humans were capable of organizing large-scale construction projects without permanent settlements or advanced tools. It suggests that religious and social activities may have played a crucial role in the transition from nomadic lifestyles to settled agricultural communities. The site continues to be excavated, and only a small portion has been uncovered, hinting at the vast potential for further discoveries. The **Lascaux Caves**, located near the village of Montignac in southwestern France, are famous for their prehistoric cave paintings. Discovered on **September 12, 1940**, by 18-year-old **Marcel Ravidat and his dog,** **Robot**, the caves feature over 600 parietal wall paintings dating back around 17,000 to 22,000 years. These paintings primarily depict large animals like horses, deer, and bison, and are considered masterpieces of Paleolithic art. The Lascaux Caves were inducted into the **UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979** as part of the Prehistoric Sites and **Decorated Caves of the Vézère Valley**. Due to concerns about preservation, the original caves have been closed to the public since **1963**. **Newgrange** is a prehistoric monument located in **County Meath, Ireland,** within the Brú na Bóinne complex. Constructed around **3200** BCE, it is older than both Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids. The site consists of a large circular mound with a 19-meter (62-foot) long passage leading to a cruciform chamber. The entrance is marked by a striking façade made of white quartz cobblestones and decorated kerbstones. One of the most remarkable features of Newgrange is its **alignment with the winter solstice sunrise**. Each year, around the solstice, **sunlight enters the passage** and illuminates the inner chamber, highlighting the builders\' advanced understanding of astronomy. Newgrange is part of a larger complex that includes other passage **tombs** like **Knowth and Dowth, making it a UNESCO World Heritage Site**. Historically, Cappadocia has been inhabited since the **Hittite era (circa 1800-1200 BCE**). The region\'s soft rock, known as tuff, allowed ancient inhabitants to carve out dwellings, churches, and even entire underground cities like Kaymakli and Derinkuyu. These underground cities were used as hiding places by early Christians fleeing persecution. Cappadocia is also known for its **rock-cut churches and monasteries**, particularly in the Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia, which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 6\. Altamira Caves, Spain  The **Altamira Caves**, located near the historic town of Santillana del Mar in Cantabria, Spain, are renowned for their prehistoric cave art. Discovered in 1868 by **Modesto Cubillas** and subsequently studied by **Marcelino Sanz de Sautuola**, the cave features charcoal drawings and polychrome paintings of local fauna and human hands. These paintings, dating back to the Upper Paleolithic period around 36,000 years ago, were the first European cave paintings to be recognized as prehistoric. The cave\'s most famous section, the **Polychrome Hall**, showcases stunning depictions of bison, horses, and deer, highlighting the artistic skills of the Magdalenian people. The discovery initially faced skepticism, but it eventually gained acceptance and recognition, leading to its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. Due to concerns about preservation, the original caves have been closed to the public since 1977. However, a replica, the **Altamira Museum**, was opened in 2001, allowing visitors to experience the beauty of the paintings without causing damage. V. **Geography** - the study of the physical features of the earth and its atmosphere, and of human activity as it affects and is affected by these, including the distribution of populations and resources, land use, and industries. Particular Location of a country **Geology** - the science that deals with the earth's physical structure and substance, its history, and the processes that act on it. The study of the structure, evolution and dynamics of the earth and its natural mineral and energy resources. Materials that are discovered in a location. **Climate** - the weather conditions prevailing in an area in general or over a long period. Climate, on the other hand, refers to the long-term (usually at least 30 years) regional or even global average of temperature, humidity, and rainfall patterns over seasons, years, or decades. **Religion** - the belief in and worship of a superhuman power or power, especially god or gods. A personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices. Human beings' relation to that which they regard as holy, sacred, absolute, spiritual, divine, or worthy of especial reverence. **Social and Political** - the issue of environmental conservation, which is influenced by both social attitudes towards "going green" and by political policies. How the people live and are governed. The Ancient Greek words - - The art and science of designing and constructing buildings - - - -