09ARC 1.

4:

EARLY CIVILIZATIONS

ART, CULTURE & ARCHITECTURE

PRE-HISTORIC SETTLEMENTS
1.1 INTRODUCTION
1.1.1

ARCHITECTURE THE MEANING

Architecture is the art and science of designing and constructing buildings (Ching, A visual Dictionary of architecture) Architecture is derived from Word archi-teckton; archi means chief and teckton means a building Architeckton therefore means chief builder

1.1.2

CONTENTS OF ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY

In Architectural history, we study: Buildings of a particular civilization Forces that shape the buildings Building practices how they changed over time & why Buildings in their geographical context and time period. Function, form, space and adaptation of the buildings to their physical environment. Social, economic, political, technological and other factors & their role in the evolution of particular architecture of a place or period. History is a study of the cultural development of civilizations with architecture as a representation of the civilizations.

1.1.3

HISTORY OF HUMAN CIVILIZATION These various periods are: Pre-historic period Early or ancient civilizations Classical periods Dark or Middle ages Renaissance period Industrial age Modern history
Pre-historic Period (upto 4000 BC) Date (BC) 9000 8000 7800 6250 5400 4000 Some Significant Events Paleolithic civilization (wanderers and food gatherers) Beginning of Mesolithic civilization (hunters, fishermen, food collectors) Oldest Known settlement at Jericho Catal Huyuk Beginning of Neolithic civilization (Farmers)

Faculty: Asst. Prof. Anuradha Kiran. B & Asst. Prof. Fathima Samana. S

Early or Ancient Civilizations (5000 - 1000 BC) 3000 2778 2759 2700 2500 2500 2000 Egyptian civilization Stepped pyramid at Saqqara Sumerian numeral system based on 60 First true arch and vault in Mesopotamia Great pyramid at Gizeh Height of Indus Valley civilization, India Minoan civilization

The Classical Period (1100 BC - 476 AD) 1100 BC 432 BC 140 BC 47 BC 1 - 100 AD 117 AD 286 AD 324 AD 476 AD 1.1.3 Emergence of Greece Roman Civilization Greece falls under Roman rule Rome conquers Egypt Vitruvius - 10 books on architecture (oldest known text on architecture) Rome reaches greatest extent; from Spain to Persia; and Britain to Carthage Rome split into two by Diocletian Constantine reunites Roman empire at Constantinople (Byzantium) Fall of Rome after a century of attacks from Vandals and Visigoths

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS &TECHNIQUES

1.1.3.1 POST AND LINTEL OR TRABEATED STRUCTURES

This is the simplest of structural systems. It is made up of a vertical column that transfers the load of the horizontal lintel to the ground. This is the main construction system of ancient Egyptian temples and Greek architecture. It is also the most common form of modern construction.
1.1.3.2 ARCUATED STRUCTURES EVOLUTION Arch: An arch is a curved structure of wedgeshaped blocks built to span an opening. Ancient Mesopotamian civilizations were among the earliest civilizations to use the arch in construction. It was Working Principle An Arch Transfer of Loads however the Romans, who used the arch extensively and were able to achieve wide spans with it in buildings, bridges and aqueducts.

Faculty: Asst. Prof. Anuradha Kiran. B & Asst. Prof. Fathima Samana. S

Palace, Ferozabad Vault: The extension of an arch in the third dimension produces a vault. The most primitive vault form creates a tunnel like space. Vaulting was extensively used in Roman architecture.

Colloseum, Rome

Vault An extended Arch

Dome: The circular rotation of an arch around a fixed center yields a dome circular in plan. The oldest and largest existing dome is the Pantheon in Rome. Examples of Vaults being used in Roman Aquaducts & Gothic Churches Dome Set of rotated arches

Examples of Dome being used in Palace of Sargon, Roman Pantheon & Hagia Sophia Church

Faculty: Asst. Prof. Anuradha Kiran. B & Asst. Prof. Fathima Samana. S