PREHISTORICPREHISTORIC

Late Mesolithic and Early Late Mesolithic and Early NeolithicNeolithic

History of Architecture – ARC History of Architecture – ARC 112112

INTRODUCTION

2 types of permanent buildings2 types of permanent buildings– Single-cellSingle-cell type, beehive shaped, round or oval in plan type, beehive shaped, round or oval in plan– Multi-celledMulti-celled collection of rectangular rooms collection of rectangular rooms

MesolithicMesolithic– DwellingsDwellings

Wood sheltersWood shelters built in front of caves on stone pavements built in front of caves on stone pavements More frequently More frequently round or oval dry-stoneround or oval dry-stone huts built in huts built in open settlementsopen settlements

near near water sourceswater sources in the limestone uplands in the limestone uplands TransitionTransition to houses with to houses with rectangularrectangular rooms mostly took place in this rooms mostly took place in this

period in most of the regionsperiod in most of the regions Also transition from Also transition from dry-stonedry-stone huts to houses in huts to houses in mud and stonemud and stone and finally and finally

to rectangular houses in to rectangular houses in mud-brick / taufmud-brick / tauf (mud + straw)(mud + straw) Development of Development of moulded mud-brickmoulded mud-brick encouraged precision of construction encouraged precision of construction

– SettlementsSettlements Small communitiesSmall communities were composed of single-roomed houses with flat were composed of single-roomed houses with flat

roofs, built of mud and stone, with walls and floors buttressed, mud-roofs, built of mud and stone, with walls and floors buttressed, mud-plastered internally, and painted in variety of earth coloursplastered internally, and painted in variety of earth colours

Most villages had Most villages had contiguous dwellingscontiguous dwellings, but some had narrow alleys and , but some had narrow alleys and courtyardscourtyards

Mostly dwellings and fortification wallsMostly dwellings and fortification walls, with the exception of Catal Huyuk , with the exception of Catal Huyuk where large number of elaborate shrines were foundwhere large number of elaborate shrines were found

NeolithicNeolithic– During this period, character of these simple villages changed in four ways:During this period, character of these simple villages changed in four ways:

Improvement in Improvement in construction and planningconstruction and planning – multi-roomed thin-walled houses of mud- – multi-roomed thin-walled houses of mud-brickbrick

Emergence of Emergence of non-residential buildingsnon-residential buildings for work storage and ritual purposes culminating for work storage and ritual purposes culminating in monumental temple architecture of Mesopotamiain monumental temple architecture of Mesopotamia

More open form of villageMore open form of village layout including streets layout including streets More More widespread construction of wallswidespread construction of walls for many purposes including defence for many purposes including defence

– DwellingsDwellings Almost everywhere change from round to Almost everywhere change from round to rectangularrectangular buildings built of mud buildings built of mud Houses Houses superimposedsuperimposed one above the other - sometimes rectangular buildings built on top one above the other - sometimes rectangular buildings built on top

of earlier round dry-stone buildings – sometimes rebuilt by each generation, the earlier of earlier round dry-stone buildings – sometimes rebuilt by each generation, the earlier buildings being absorbed into settlement moundsbuildings being absorbed into settlement mounds

ShrinesShrines and dwellings were planned the same way except that shrines were larger and and dwellings were planned the same way except that shrines were larger and elaborately decoratedelaborately decorated

Shrines were planned with rooms in sequenceShrines were planned with rooms in sequence StorageStorage buildings often consisted of rectangular rooms on either side of a central corridor buildings often consisted of rectangular rooms on either side of a central corridor Both storage and shrines tended towards regular and symmetrical layoutsBoth storage and shrines tended towards regular and symmetrical layouts

– SettlementsSettlements Number of villages had Number of villages had increasedincreased dramatically in many areas dramatically in many areas Trend was for larger townships, many of them fortifiedTrend was for larger townships, many of them fortified There was great There was great regional diversity in layoutregional diversity in layout and formsand forms of domestic buildings of domestic buildings Simply organized with Simply organized with no palacesno palaces At first At first specialized buildingsspecialized buildings were were contiguouscontiguous with dwellings, later with dwellings, later free standing, free standing, andand

occasionally (temples and storage blocks) occasionally (temples and storage blocks) groupedgrouped around three sides of a courtyard around three sides of a courtyard

LevantLevant

Primarily domestic but shrines, workshops Primarily domestic but shrines, workshops and storage buildings have also been foundand storage buildings have also been found

Flourished until early 6000BCFlourished until early 6000BC

Ain Mallaha, Israel, 9000-8000BCAin Mallaha, Israel, 9000-8000BC– 5050 huts with a population of about huts with a population of about 200-300200-300 on on

an open site (2000man open site (2000m22) near lake Hulen) near lake Hulen– The The subterraneansubterranean huts were dug into the huts were dug into the

terrain to a depth of about terrain to a depth of about 1.3m1.3m and the and the entrances were located on the lower sideentrances were located on the lower side

– Most of them Most of them circularcircular from from 3-9m3-9m in diameter in diameter– Dry-stoneDry-stone huts some with huts some with stone paved floorsstone paved floors– Beehive forms were constructed of Beehive forms were constructed of reeds or reeds or

mattingmatting and were probably supported on and were probably supported on postsposts– One had walls finished with lime plaster with One had walls finished with lime plaster with

red colourred colour

Jericho, Israel, 8350-7350BCJericho, Israel, 8350-7350BC– Round and ovalRound and oval houses over 4ha of land houses over 4ha of land– About About 5m5m in diameter, in diameter, mud brickmud brick construction construction– Bricks supported domed Bricks supported domed superstructure of branches covered with claysuperstructure of branches covered with clay

Jericho, Israel, 7350BCJericho, Israel, 7350BC– FortifiedFortified township township encircled by stone wall 3m thickencircled by stone wall 3m thick, , 4m4m highhigh 700m in 700m in

circumferencecircumference– The fortification underwent The fortification underwent rebuilding storage chambers, watch towersrebuilding storage chambers, watch towers, ,

etc.etc.– Houses Houses highly packedhighly packed, seem to have intercommunicated through , seem to have intercommunicated through

sreenwalls and courtyardssreenwalls and courtyards– Some had Some had stone foundationsstone foundations and some had and some had upper floors made of upper floors made of

timbertimber– They had They had lime plastered floorslime plastered floors– Plastered wallsPlastered walls with with redred painted painted dadodado– Some walls also Some walls also decorateddecorated with geometric patterns with geometric patterns– Had solid walls and wide doorways with rounded jambsHad solid walls and wide doorways with rounded jambs

Mureybet, North Syria, 8640-8142BCMureybet, North Syria, 8640-8142BC– Round or ovalRound or oval huts with huts with red clay wallsred clay walls supporting a supporting a light timber light timber

superstructuresuperstructure Mureybet, North Syria, 7954-7542BCMureybet, North Syria, 7954-7542BC

– RectangularRectangular houses as well as houses as well as roundround huts huts– Both constructed from soft Both constructed from soft limestonelimestone laid in laid in clay and pebble mortarclay and pebble mortar– By the end of this period, plan had evolved to include By the end of this period, plan had evolved to include multi-roomed housesmulti-roomed houses, ,

possibly possibly with access through roofswith access through roofs– Wall painting in one of the houses foundWall painting in one of the houses found

Cayonu, North Syria, 7500-6800BCCayonu, North Syria, 7500-6800BC– The lowest level contained The lowest level contained rectangular stone buildings 5x10mrectangular stone buildings 5x10m in area in area

A A multi-room buildingmulti-room building with a hall and a square room with 2 flanking rows of 3 with a hall and a square room with 2 flanking rows of 3 cubiclescubicles

Plastered floorsPlastered floors Grid like foundationGrid like foundation that may have supported that may have supported timber floortimber floor

– The top levelsThe top levels WorkshopWorkshop measuring measuring 5x8m5x8m made up of made up of 6/7 small cubicles6/7 small cubicles

– First mud buildingsFirst mud buildings simple simple square or rectangularsquare or rectangular one-roomedone-roomed houses about houses about 5x9m5x9m Flat roofedFlat roofed Doors with carved jambs located at narrow endDoors with carved jambs located at narrow end

Beidha, Southern Jordon, 7000-6000BCBeidha, Southern Jordon, 7000-6000BC– InitiallyInitially

Were Were curvilinearcurvilinear They were They were semi-subterraneansemi-subterranean up to up to 4m4m in in

diameterdiameter Dwellings and storeroomsDwellings and storerooms were were groupedgrouped in in

clusters within clusters within walled courtyardswalled courtyards Whole village was surrounded by stone wallWhole village was surrounded by stone wall

– Free standing Free standing polygonalpolygonal houses with houses with rounded cornersrounded corners

– Followed by Followed by rectangular stonerectangular stone houses houses– Finally Finally clusters of stone-built houses and clusters of stone-built houses and

workshopsworkshops Each house had one room measuring 7x9mEach house had one room measuring 7x9m Floors and walls of white burnished plaster Floors and walls of white burnished plaster

decorated with a red stripe at floor leveldecorated with a red stripe at floor level Outside was L-shaped walled courtyard each Outside was L-shaped walled courtyard each

had several workshops about 8m long had several workshops about 8m long clustered togetherclustered together

Khirokitia, Cyprus, 5650BCKhirokitia, Cyprus, 5650BC– About a About a 10001000 houses approached by houses approached by

stone-paved roadstone-paved road– Some had Some had outbuildingsoutbuildings for storage, for storage,

grinding corn, cooking, and grinding corn, cooking, and workshopsworkshops

– Most houses had wall Most houses had wall courtyardscourtyards– Built Built roundround houses houses 3-8m3-8m in diameter in diameter– Lower part of the walls made of local Lower part of the walls made of local

limestonelimestone– Domed superstructure of Domed superstructure of mud-brickmud-brick– Some houses had Some houses had double wallsdouble walls, the , the

outer wall acting as retaining wallouter wall acting as retaining wall– Some had lofts supported on Some had lofts supported on stone stone

pillarspillars

Shrine at Jericho, 7000BCShrine at Jericho, 7000BC– A small room with a niche in which was A small room with a niche in which was

placed a standing stone may have been a placed a standing stone may have been a cult roomcult room

– Another had a portico which led to a Another had a portico which led to a vestibule and inner chamber containing a vestibule and inner chamber containing a pair of stone pillars symmetrically placed pair of stone pillars symmetrically placed about the axis of entryabout the axis of entry

Shrine at Cayonu, 7000BCShrine at Cayonu, 7000BC– Shrine like building 9x10m with internally Shrine like building 9x10m with internally

buttresses stone wallsbuttresses stone walls– Floor was paved with pink pebbles set in Floor was paved with pink pebbles set in

red oxidered oxide

AnatoliaAnatolia

The dwellings displayed a degree of standardizationThe dwellings displayed a degree of standardization Inhabitants seem to have taken part in highly organized ritualsInhabitants seem to have taken part in highly organized rituals Later in the period, many settlements were heavily fortifiedLater in the period, many settlements were heavily fortified Hacilar, 7500-6000BCHacilar, 7500-6000BC

– Dwellings Dwellings closely packedclosely packed with with access by the way of roofsaccess by the way of roofs– Built of Built of mud bricks on stone foundationsmud bricks on stone foundations– Appear to be Appear to be multi-roomed, plastered internallymulti-roomed, plastered internally– Painted in cream and red bandsPainted in cream and red bands

Later in the period, Later in the period, substantial rectangular mud brick housessubstantial rectangular mud brick houses were built were built 10x4m10x4m– WallsWalls over over 1m1m thick thick– DoorsDoors were normally in the were normally in the centre of long sidescentre of long sides, timber thresholds , timber thresholds

and jambsand jambs– CupboardsCupboards were let into the walls were let into the walls– Light-weight Light-weight partitionpartition of of sticks + plastersticks + plaster screened off the screened off the storagestorage

areaarea– Ceilings of stout timber beams were supported on a pair of center Ceilings of stout timber beams were supported on a pair of center

postsposts– The posts may have carried upper storey of wood and plaster The posts may have carried upper storey of wood and plaster

consisting of a verandah and a row of small roomsconsisting of a verandah and a row of small rooms

In its final stages 5400-5000BCIn its final stages 5400-5000BC– The settlement was The settlement was fortified with stone wallfortified with stone wall, area about , area about

2450sqm2450sqm– Consisted of houses, a granary, a guard house, potters’ Consisted of houses, a granary, a guard house, potters’

workshops and shrinesworkshops and shrines– It was It was heavily fortifiedheavily fortified, the , the central courtyardcentral courtyard was ringed was ringed

by by blocks of 2-storey houses, with roof accessblocks of 2-storey houses, with roof access, and , and separated from each other by separated from each other by small fenced yardssmall fenced yards

Can Hasan, 7500-6000BCCan Hasan, 7500-6000BC– Closely packed and square or Closely packed and square or

rectangular in planrectangular in plan– Later buildings (4950BC) were thick Later buildings (4950BC) were thick

walled and built of mud brick reinforced walled and built of mud brick reinforced with timberwith timber

– Some houses had lightweight upper Some houses had lightweight upper storeysstoreys

Catal Huyuk, 6250-5400BCCatal Huyuk, 6250-5400BC– Extended over 13 acres supported a population of 4000-6000 peopleExtended over 13 acres supported a population of 4000-6000 people– Mainly rectangular single roomed houses each about 25sqmMainly rectangular single roomed houses each about 25sqm– Plastered walls and floorsPlastered walls and floors– Densely packed and contiguous with occasional open courtyardsDensely packed and contiguous with occasional open courtyards– Each house had its own wallsEach house had its own walls– Floors were covered with straw mats and walls decorated with simple geometric Floors were covered with straw mats and walls decorated with simple geometric

designsdesigns– Access was by a ladder from the roofAccess was by a ladder from the roof

– Appears to have been unfortifiedAppears to have been unfortified– Dense package of dwellings without streetsDense package of dwellings without streets– Residents gained access to the dwellings across roofsResidents gained access to the dwellings across roofs– High openings in the walls were for ventilationHigh openings in the walls were for ventilation– Mud-brick walls and a post-and-lintel timber framework enclosed rectangular Mud-brick walls and a post-and-lintel timber framework enclosed rectangular

spaces that abutted the neighboring houses so that together they established spaces that abutted the neighboring houses so that together they established the perimeter town wallthe perimeter town wall

– With the houses were windowless shrines containing decorative motifs of bulls With the houses were windowless shrines containing decorative motifs of bulls and cult statuettes of deitiesand cult statuettes of deities

Fortress of Mersin, 4500-4200BC Fortress of Mersin, 4500-4200BC – Gateway with projecting towersGateway with projecting towers– Quarters surrounded a central open courtyardQuarters surrounded a central open courtyard– Had flat roofsHad flat roofs– Barrack-like rooms which abutted the defensive Barrack-like rooms which abutted the defensive

walls at the rearwalls at the rear– Small walled yards in the frontSmall walled yards in the front– Originally intercommunicating but later self-Originally intercommunicating but later self-

containedcontained– Had slit windowsHad slit windows– Contained grindstones, mud platforms, and hearthsContained grindstones, mud platforms, and hearths– To the right of the main gate was a larger and more To the right of the main gate was a larger and more

elaborate house for the commander of the garrisonelaborate house for the commander of the garrison

Shrine at Catal Huyuk, 6250-5400Shrine at Catal Huyuk, 6250-5400– Richly furnished and decorated buildingsRichly furnished and decorated buildings– Laid out in the same way as the residencesLaid out in the same way as the residences– Intermingled with themIntermingled with them– But decorated with engravings paintings and reliefsBut decorated with engravings paintings and reliefs

Shrine at Hacilar, 5400BCShrine at Hacilar, 5400BC– Usually simple square rooms with niches containing Usually simple square rooms with niches containing

standing stonesstanding stones– One was planned with a porch and anteroomOne was planned with a porch and anteroom– Shrines were decorated with geometric wall Shrines were decorated with geometric wall

patternspatterns

ZagrosZagros

This region did not produce shrines although large multi room dwellings This region did not produce shrines although large multi room dwellings were foundwere found

Ali Kosh, 8000-6500Ali Kosh, 8000-6500– Plain small single storey thin walled houses of rectangular planPlain small single storey thin walled houses of rectangular plan– Clay bricks 250x150x100Clay bricks 250x150x100– Larger multi-room came later which had rooms up to 3x3m made of clay slabs Larger multi-room came later which had rooms up to 3x3m made of clay slabs

400x250x100. There were open courtyards and alleys separated the houses400x250x100. There were open courtyards and alleys separated the houses Ganjdareh, 7289-7000BCGanjdareh, 7289-7000BC

– Mud bricksMud bricks– Houses made up of small rectangular rooms, close packed with roof accessHouses made up of small rectangular rooms, close packed with roof access– Roofs made of beams supporting reeds daubed with clayRoofs made of beams supporting reeds daubed with clay– Walls and floors finished internally with mud plasterWalls and floors finished internally with mud plaster

Tepe Guran, 6500-5500BCTepe Guran, 6500-5500BC– Began as a winter campBegan as a winter camp– Wooden huts with 2 or 3 small roomsWooden huts with 2 or 3 small rooms– Later (6200BC) similar houses in mud-brick and contained built-in mud benches Later (6200BC) similar houses in mud-brick and contained built-in mud benches

and tablesand tables– Floors and walls with red or white plasterFloors and walls with red or white plaster– Courtyards with terrazo with white felspar chippings set in red clayCourtyards with terrazo with white felspar chippings set in red clay

Jarmo, 6000-5000BCJarmo, 6000-5000BC– In the mountains, made up of 20-30 small rectangular In the mountains, made up of 20-30 small rectangular

mud housesmud houses– Population of about 150Population of about 150– Each house had an open courtyard measuring roughly Each house had an open courtyard measuring roughly

3x4m3x4m– Comprised of several rooms packed into a space of Comprised of several rooms packed into a space of

5x6m5x6m Tal-i-Iblis, 4000BCTal-i-Iblis, 4000BC

– Built with thick walled heavily buttressed storerooms Built with thick walled heavily buttressed storerooms grouped at the centre and surrounded by larger living grouped at the centre and surrounded by larger living rooms with red plaster floorsrooms with red plaster floors

– One of the houses had an elaborate arch and contained One of the houses had an elaborate arch and contained infant burialsinfant burials

Transcaspian and Transcaspian and Transcaucasian RegionsTranscaucasian Regions

These regions produced standardised one-roomed houses and These regions produced standardised one-roomed houses and larger shrine like buildings decorated with wall paintingslarger shrine like buildings decorated with wall paintings

Variety of village layouts – open, irregular free standing groups, Variety of village layouts – open, irregular free standing groups, contiguous (each with a shrine and separated from others by contiguous (each with a shrine and separated from others by street-like spaces) and finally to walled settlements containing street-like spaces) and finally to walled settlements containing blocks of dwellings and shrinesblocks of dwellings and shrines

Djeitun, 5600BCDjeitun, 5600BC– Built with mud and sun-dried bricks tempered with strawBuilt with mud and sun-dried bricks tempered with straw– 30 households, population about 15030 households, population about 150– Rectangular in plan each with one room about 5x6mRectangular in plan each with one room about 5x6m– Some houses had plain interiors with a hearth located centrally on one Some houses had plain interiors with a hearth located centrally on one

wall while others were more elaboratewall while others were more elaborate– Walls were coated with mud plaster, occasionally painted red and blackWalls were coated with mud plaster, occasionally painted red and black– Each house had a courtyard and outbuilding sometimes shared with a Each house had a courtyard and outbuilding sometimes shared with a

neighbourneighbour– In the open space of the village were timber grain drying platforms In the open space of the village were timber grain drying platforms

supported on parallel mud-brick wallssupported on parallel mud-brick walls

Hajji Fruz, 5319-4959BCHajji Fruz, 5319-4959BC– Open village of single room detached houses separated by Open village of single room detached houses separated by

lanes and courtyardslanes and courtyards– Made of mud-brick and mortarMade of mud-brick and mortar– Had outbuildingsHad outbuildings– Houses were 6.5x4mHouses were 6.5x4m– Internal mud-brick buttresses and wooden posts supported a Internal mud-brick buttresses and wooden posts supported a

roof of beams reeds and clayroof of beams reeds and clay– Roof may have been pitchedRoof may have been pitched

Chakmakli Depe, 5000BCChakmakli Depe, 5000BC– Divided by a lane into 2 groupsDivided by a lane into 2 groups– Houses made of large mud bricks 500x200x100Houses made of large mud bricks 500x200x100– Had 2 rooms, small kitchen and larger living room in sequenceHad 2 rooms, small kitchen and larger living room in sequence– In each group, one dwelling had red floors and walls which may In each group, one dwelling had red floors and walls which may

have served as a shrinehave served as a shrine

Dashliji Depe, 5000BCDashliji Depe, 5000BC– Fortified settlement 45x38mFortified settlement 45x38m– In which stood small mud brick houses like those In which stood small mud brick houses like those

in Djeitun and a larger shrine like structurein Djeitun and a larger shrine like structure Yalangach Depe, 4500BCYalangach Depe, 4500BC

– Enclosed by a massive defensive wall with round Enclosed by a massive defensive wall with round towerstowers

– In N-E corner of the township houses are In N-E corner of the township houses are arranged around a central larger space possibly arranged around a central larger space possibly a shrinea shrine

Mullali DepeMullali Depe– Also walled and have round towers and a shrine Also walled and have round towers and a shrine

at the centerat the center

Imiris Gora, Tanscaucasia, 4660-Imiris Gora, Tanscaucasia, 4660-3955BC3955BC– The village had an estimated population The village had an estimated population

of 200-250of 200-250– Many were Many were semi-subterraneansemi-subterranean– Several houses had Several houses had keyhole shaped keyhole shaped

plansplans with with internal buttressesinternal buttresses to take to take the thrust where domes abuttedthe thrust where domes abutted

– Some has Some has outhouses arranged around outhouses arranged around courtyardscourtyards

– Were Were roundround or oval or oval 3-4.5m3-4.5m in diameter in diameter– Built of Built of mud-brick on stone foundationsmud-brick on stone foundations– Later Later 2-roomed2-roomed houses evolved with houses evolved with

buttressedbuttressed walls and walls and flatflat roofs roofs supported on supported on timber poststimber posts

Shrine at Djeitun, 5600BCShrine at Djeitun, 5600BC– Similar in layout but twice the sizeSimilar in layout but twice the size

Shrine at PessejikShrine at Pessejik– Similar to that at DjeitunSimilar to that at Djeitun– Floors and walls decorated with paintings of animals and Floors and walls decorated with paintings of animals and

geometric motifsgeometric motifs Shrine at Yasa Depe, 5000BCShrine at Yasa Depe, 5000BC

– Was larger than others and had 2 roomsWas larger than others and had 2 rooms– The outer room was decorated with wall paintings and The outer room was decorated with wall paintings and

contained a ritual hearthcontained a ritual hearth– The inner room had colonnades of wooden pillars on the flank The inner room had colonnades of wooden pillars on the flank

wallswalls– The doorway os opposite the alter which was decorated with The doorway os opposite the alter which was decorated with

geometric wall paintings in brown red and whitegeometric wall paintings in brown red and white Shrine at Dashliji Depe, 5000BCShrine at Dashliji Depe, 5000BC

– Was also painted in black and redWas also painted in black and red

MesopotamiaMesopotamia

In this region there was a succession of In this region there was a succession of cultures – Hassuna, Samarra, Halaf, Eridu cultures – Hassuna, Samarra, Halaf, Eridu and Ubaidand Ubaid

An earlier occupation in the region of Umm An earlier occupation in the region of Umm Dabaghiya which predated all of theseDabaghiya which predated all of these

Mud brick dwellings of Hassuna and Samarra Mud brick dwellings of Hassuna and Samarra were large rectangular with many roomswere large rectangular with many rooms

Those of Halaf period reverted to tholos like Those of Halaf period reverted to tholos like designdesign

Settlements of Eridu and Ubaid periods are Settlements of Eridu and Ubaid periods are in the lines of development of monumental in the lines of development of monumental temple architecture of Sumerian dynastiestemple architecture of Sumerian dynasties

Umm Dabaghiya, Mesopotamia, 5500BCUmm Dabaghiya, Mesopotamia, 5500BC– Pre-Hassuna mound 100x85m high in northern plains of IraqPre-Hassuna mound 100x85m high in northern plains of Iraq– Occupation passed through evolutionary stages of small oval Occupation passed through evolutionary stages of small oval

temporary shelters and storage pits, tauf-built houses, houses and temporary shelters and storage pits, tauf-built houses, houses and storage blocks arranged around central courtyards, and finally un-storage blocks arranged around central courtyards, and finally un-plastered storage cubicles with roof access linked internally by plastered storage cubicles with roof access linked internally by corridorscorridors

– Domestic architecture was exceptionally neatDomestic architecture was exceptionally neat Oriented north southOriented north south Closely packedClosely packed Each had living room, kitchen, and 1 or 2 more rooms, 1.2-2sqmEach had living room, kitchen, and 1 or 2 more rooms, 1.2-2sqm Square, constructed in tauf without stone foundationsSquare, constructed in tauf without stone foundations Walls buttressed internally, some houses had access from the roofWalls buttressed internally, some houses had access from the roof Usually 1 room was divided by an arch, one of the earliest uses of this form Usually 1 room was divided by an arch, one of the earliest uses of this form

of constructionof construction Houses decorated with plaster and red paint and wall paintings in black Houses decorated with plaster and red paint and wall paintings in black

yellow and red showing hunting scenesyellow and red showing hunting scenes At a later stage storage blocks were built around U-shaped courtyardsAt a later stage storage blocks were built around U-shaped courtyards Buildings were single storey with roofs of braches and reeds covered in Buildings were single storey with roofs of braches and reeds covered in

plaster and furnished with trapdoorsplaster and furnished with trapdoors Small scale construction may be due to lack of timber locallySmall scale construction may be due to lack of timber locally

Tell Hassuna, 5500-5000BCTell Hassuna, 5500-5000BC– 200X150m200X150m– Round structures 2.5-6m across and rectangular dwellings Round structures 2.5-6m across and rectangular dwellings

10x2.5m in plan were found together in the lowest levels10x2.5m in plan were found together in the lowest levels– More recent levels had larger and more sophisticated More recent levels had larger and more sophisticated

buildings in which passages and courtyards finished with buildings in which passages and courtyards finished with gypsum plastergypsum plaster

– Separate large single storey multi-room houses with flat Separate large single storey multi-room houses with flat roofs and internal courtyardsroofs and internal courtyards

Yarim TepeYarim Tepe– Dated Hassuna periodDated Hassuna period– 60-70 houses with population of about 40060-70 houses with population of about 400– Mud brick houses were uniform in shape size and Mud brick houses were uniform in shape size and

character and uniform arranged in parallel rowscharacter and uniform arranged in parallel rows

Tell-es-Sawwan, 5600-5300BCTell-es-Sawwan, 5600-5300BC– 220x110m220x110m– Farming village of several hundred peopleFarming village of several hundred people– Character differed from villages of similar date Character differed from villages of similar date

in that had stone foundationsin that had stone foundations– Uniform in sizeUniform in size– Constructed of moulded mud bricksConstructed of moulded mud bricks– Walls and floors coated in mud plasterWalls and floors coated in mud plaster– Externally buttressed to take beams supporting Externally buttressed to take beams supporting

roof of reeds and clayroof of reeds and clay– Roof of reed an clayRoof of reed an clay– Village surrounded by ditch cut into the Village surrounded by ditch cut into the

bedrockbedrock

Choga Mami, 5500BCChoga Mami, 5500BC– Enclosed by buttressed wallsEnclosed by buttressed walls– Houses were rectangular and multi-cellularHouses were rectangular and multi-cellular– For eg., one of them had 12 rooms packed into an area of 9x7mFor eg., one of them had 12 rooms packed into an area of 9x7m– Construction similar to that of Tell-es-SawwanConstruction similar to that of Tell-es-Sawwan

Arpachiya, Mesopotamian lowlands, 5000BCArpachiya, Mesopotamian lowlands, 5000BC– Beehive shaped housesBeehive shaped houses– Dwellings were Dwellings were keyhole shapedkeyhole shaped in plan. in plan. RectangularRectangular anterooms were anterooms were

up to up to 19m19m long and long and domeddomed chamber up to chamber up to 10m10m across across– Walls up to Walls up to 2m2m thick thick– Walls were of Walls were of plastered tauf, occasionally paintedplastered tauf, occasionally painted red red

Al’Ubaid, 4500-4200BCAl’Ubaid, 4500-4200BC– Consisted of dwellings with flat roofs and walls formed of reed mats Consisted of dwellings with flat roofs and walls formed of reed mats

suspended between palm stems and plastered with mudsuspended between palm stems and plastered with mud– Some houses with roofs formed by bending bundles of reeds to form Some houses with roofs formed by bending bundles of reeds to form

archesarches

Shrine at Tell-es-Sawwan, 5300BCShrine at Tell-es-Sawwan, 5300BC– A large T-shaped building with 14 rooms A large T-shaped building with 14 rooms

were discovered immediately overlying were discovered immediately overlying a cemeterya cemetery

– May have been a small oneMay have been a small one

Most striking monuments of Neolithic period in the Near East were the Most striking monuments of Neolithic period in the Near East were the temples of Ubaidtemples of Ubaid– Rectangular mud-block buildings erected on platforms of clay or imported stones Rectangular mud-block buildings erected on platforms of clay or imported stones

– forerunners of Sumerian ziggurats– forerunners of Sumerian ziggurats– Central rectangular chamber flanked on both sides by smaller cellsCentral rectangular chamber flanked on both sides by smaller cells– A flight of stair led to a door on the long side of a room about 10mts long with A flight of stair led to a door on the long side of a room about 10mts long with

broad platform on one side and an alter/table on the otherbroad platform on one side and an alter/table on the other– Ladders in smaller rooms occasionally gave access to upper floors / roofsLadders in smaller rooms occasionally gave access to upper floors / roofs– Late temples had friezes decorated with coloured ceramic cones and bitumenLate temples had friezes decorated with coloured ceramic cones and bitumen

Shrine at Tepe Gawra, 3600BCShrine at Tepe Gawra, 3600BC– Sequence in temple buildingSequence in temple building– Round building 18m in diameter containing 17 rooms within its outer wallsRound building 18m in diameter containing 17 rooms within its outer walls– Outer walls were over 1m thickOuter walls were over 1m thick– Possibly used for rituals in local traditionPossibly used for rituals in local tradition

This temple existed alongside those of the UbaidThis temple existed alongside those of the Ubaid– A group of 3 temples around a large courtyard onto which other minor buildings A group of 3 temples around a large courtyard onto which other minor buildings

facedfaced– Similar to that of Eridu but lacked ritual objectsSimilar to that of Eridu but lacked ritual objects

Later, temples had rectangular sanctuaries and were entered through open Later, temples had rectangular sanctuaries and were entered through open porticoes usually with 2 lateral chambers on either sideporticoes usually with 2 lateral chambers on either side

EuropeEurope

Megalithic Tomb, Er-Mane, Carnac, Brittany, France, 4200BCMegalithic Tomb, Er-Mane, Carnac, Brittany, France, 4200BC– Before 4000BC, chambered tombs of dry-wall masonry with corbelled roofsBefore 4000BC, chambered tombs of dry-wall masonry with corbelled roofs

Newgrange passage grave, County Meath, Ireland, 3100BCNewgrange passage grave, County Meath, Ireland, 3100BC– Tombs were an expression of reverence for ancestorsTombs were an expression of reverence for ancestors– A means of establishing claims to landA means of establishing claims to land– This grave located on the crest of the hillThis grave located on the crest of the hill– An earthen mound 300’ diameter and 36’ highAn earthen mound 300’ diameter and 36’ high– Weight of the soil providing stability for the magaliths belowWeight of the soil providing stability for the magaliths below– Decorated boulders surround the perimeter of the moundDecorated boulders surround the perimeter of the mound– Tomb approached by long passage of upright stonesTomb approached by long passage of upright stones– Passage 62’ from south sloped upward covered by stone lintels terminating in 20’ high chamberPassage 62’ from south sloped upward covered by stone lintels terminating in 20’ high chamber

Stonehenge, Salisbury Plain, southwestern EnglandStonehenge, Salisbury Plain, southwestern England– Distinct building phases can be observedDistinct building phases can be observed– 11stst phase around 2900BC phase around 2900BC

2 concentric circular ditches2 concentric circular ditches Inside the perimeter 56 evenly spaced holes (Aubrey holes) dug and filled with chalkInside the perimeter 56 evenly spaced holes (Aubrey holes) dug and filled with chalk Pointed upright stone ‘heel stone’ located axially outside the perimeterPointed upright stone ‘heel stone’ located axially outside the perimeter

– 22ndnd phase around 2400BC phase around 2400BC 82 coffin-sized stones of grey-blue dolerite erected in double ring of 38 pairs and 6 stones defining the N-E 82 coffin-sized stones of grey-blue dolerite erected in double ring of 38 pairs and 6 stones defining the N-E

approach axisapproach axis At some point these stones were removed, referred to as O and R holesAt some point these stones were removed, referred to as O and R holes

– 33rdrd phase phase 35 lintels35 lintels 40 sarcen (a form of sandstone) stones40 sarcen (a form of sandstone) stones These were erected in a circle of 30 uprights enclosing 5 trilithons (2 uprights capped by a single lintel) These were erected in a circle of 30 uprights enclosing 5 trilithons (2 uprights capped by a single lintel)

arranged in U-shape to focus on the avenuearranged in U-shape to focus on the avenue

EgyptEgypt

EgyptEgypt– Transition to rectangular mud-built town houses took place in 3400BCTransition to rectangular mud-built town houses took place in 3400BC– These were constructed on wattle and daub occasionally on rough stone These were constructed on wattle and daub occasionally on rough stone

foundationsfoundations– Houses were two-roomed with walled open courts adjoining the streetsHouses were two-roomed with walled open courts adjoining the streets– Graves became increasingly elaborateGraves became increasingly elaborate

El-Badari, Egypt (3200BC)El-Badari, Egypt (3200BC)– Residence Residence

Had 2 rooms, facing open walled courtyardsHad 2 rooms, facing open walled courtyards Larger inner living rooms about 2m squareLarger inner living rooms about 2m square Mud structure, roof of thatch and mudMud structure, roof of thatch and mud

– Cemetery at BadariCemetery at Badari Several hundred grouped in dense clustersSeveral hundred grouped in dense clusters No superstructure to mark the grave surviveNo superstructure to mark the grave survive

– Cemetery at NaqadaCemetery at Naqada More elaborateMore elaborate Walls of graves strengthened by sticks and matting or wood panelled chambers were Walls of graves strengthened by sticks and matting or wood panelled chambers were

constructedconstructed Some chambers had upper compartments designed to carry grave goodsSome chambers had upper compartments designed to carry grave goods Both types roofed with mud-plastered sticks and matting or planksBoth types roofed with mud-plastered sticks and matting or planks One of the tombs had stone superstructure in the form of 4-tiered stepped pyramid on a One of the tombs had stone superstructure in the form of 4-tiered stepped pyramid on a

square base 20mx20msquare base 20mx20m Stones undressed, roughly coursed and beneath the pyramid a pit is dugStones undressed, roughly coursed and beneath the pyramid a pit is dug

Merimde, Lower Egypt, 4500BCMerimde, Lower Egypt, 4500BC– Village of huts Village of huts oval or horseshoeoval or horseshoe in plan in plan– 5-6m5-6m across across– Constructed from a framework of Constructed from a framework of postsposts and covered with and covered with reed reed

mattingmatting– Huts Huts aligned in rowsaligned in rows– Some of them may have had Some of them may have had fenced yardsfenced yards

Hammamiya, Upper Egypt, 4000BCHammamiya, Upper Egypt, 4000BC– Consists of a number of hut Consists of a number of hut circlescircles– Included storage and living rooms up to Included storage and living rooms up to 2m2m diameter diameter– SunkSunk into the ground to a depth of about into the ground to a depth of about 1m1m