Architecture & Town Planning AE-301 Neolithic Architectural Style
Introduction
to Neolithic Architecture
Architecture of the Neolithic Period In
South-west Asia, it soon soo n appeared after 10000 B.C. In
Europe, it appeared between 8000 ² 7000 B.C.
In
the Middle-East by 8000 B.C.
Introduction
to Neolithic Architecture
Architectural Styles of this era doesn·t vary much. Construction Materials Materials varied according to their Availability. Building materials consisted of thick timber posts, reeds, clay (hay clay or o r mud-bricks) and stone for the foundations f oundations and the upper structure (walls). for roofing, tree trunks, reeds, clay and hay were used.
Introduction
to Neolithic Architecture
Introduction
to Neolithic Architecture
Can be distinguished by Two Phases. 1. Paleolithic Phase This Age, Era or Period, Period, is a prehisto prehistoric ric era distinguished by the development d evelopment of the first stone tools. Also character characterized ized by the use use of knapped knapped stone stone tools, tools, although at the time humans also used wood and bone tools.
Introduction
to Neolithic Architecture
Can be distinguished by Two Phases. 1. Mesolithic Phase By the the end of the the Aurignacian, gradual changes took place in stone industries. Small stone tools tools called called Microliths and retouched retouched bladelets can be found for the first time.
Tools used during Mesolithic Period
Dwellings
& Misc. Structures
Different
types of structures of the Neolithic era were uncovered and found. 1. Natural Caves Among the first first shelters to be used by the prehistoric man was the natural cave. The natural natural caves caves gave gave the idea of supporting a roof slab by walls of stones which led to the construction of other types of dwellings.
Dwellings
& Misc. Structures
Dwellings
& Misc. Structures
2. Mud-Brick Structures Mud-Brick Structures were also found in this style Roofs of these buildings were also constructed constructed out of local materials, such such as a hard grass or wood. Circular, Circular, Rectangula Rectangularr and and square square shaped shaped dwellings dwellings were found.
Dwellings
3.
& Misc. Structures
Megalithic Structures
Comprised of two two Greek Greek words (megas lithos) meaning "great stone." Aside from houses, houses, other structures structures made up up of large stones Found all over the world Famous example: example: Stone Henge ,UK.
Dwellings
& Misc. Structures
Dwellings
4.
& Misc. Structures
Stone Circles
Stones Stones of different different kinds are are assembled assembled in circles. circles. It
seems more than likely that prehistoric tombs and stone circles were temples for some kind or kinds of augury, even the interpretat interpretation ion of clouds. clouds. Found Found in many many Areas Areas
Dwellings
& Misc. Structures
Dwellings
5.
& Misc. Structures
Dolmens
Dolmens Dolmen
(Bret. dol = table + maen stone)
is the name sometimes applied to two or more upright stones supporting a horizontal slab
Dwellings
6.
& Misc. Structures
Pile Dwellings
Neolithic Neolithic pile dwelling dwellingss have have been been excavate excavated d
Consists Consists of Piles support supporting ing wooden or other light materials roofs
Dwellings
7.
& Misc. Structures
Wattle-and-Daub Dwellings
Neolithic Neolithic settlements settlements included included wattle wattle-and-d -and-daub aub structures with with thatched roofs and floors made of logs covered in clay.
Dwellings
8.
& Misc. Structures
Sweathouses
Sweathouses were resorted to as a sauna-treatment sauna-treatment for aches and pains For a start, the entrance entrance is as little as 75 cms high. No easy easy task to heat heat up up the sweathouse sweathouse Light a fire, maintain maintain it and sweep out the the ashes
Dwellings
& Misc. Structures
Dwellings
9.
& Misc. Structures
Other Famous Examples include
Cata Catall Hayu Hayuk k 32 acre acre town located in the south of Turkey known as Catal Huyuk Well Preserved Preserved homes and struc structures tures Also contains rectangular buildings with ´windowsµ. However, However, none of of the homes homes have doors, doors, entrance entrance appears to be through roofs.
Dwellings
& Misc. Structures
Dwellings
& Misc. Structures
Temple of Tarxien, Tarxien, Malta Archaeologi Archaeological cal complex complex in Tarxien, Tarxien, Malta Date
back to approximately 2800 BC.
Habitat first farming and stock-rearing settlements were situated in coastal or inland areas, lowlands or hilly, close to water sources (lakes, rivers, streams, springs) Majority were open-settlements but cave cave dwelling also observed
Habitat 1.
Density
Different
according to regional characteristics
For Example, Example, large fertile fertile plains plains were were more more densely populated than the semi-mountainous regions and the islands the density of the settlements did not remain the same throughout all the Neolithic phases. geomorphological changes, such as a rise in the sea level, as well as natural disasters, such as the overflowing of rivers, had a direct impact on settlement density
Habitat 2.
Settlements During
the Early Neolithic, Neol ithic, settlements consisted of huts with walls made of posts
From the the Middle Neolithic Neolithic onwards onwards houses houses with with stone stone foundations and walls from mud-bricks (unfired bricks from a mixture of clay and hay) were built There are indications that two-storey dwellings existed as well Several settlements were surrounded by ditches or stone stone enclosures, whose function is not entirely e ntirely clear: for defense or to demarcate the limits of the settlement?
Habitat 2.
Settlements
Open settlements settlements had usually the form of a low hill, 2-4 meters high, with a diameter of 100-200 meters
Political Organization During
the early phases of the Neolithic, communities of at least 50-100 individuals were organized with the clan or extended family as the basic unit
From the the Late Neolithi Neolithicc onwar onwards, ds, an an increase increase in the number of settlements and differentiation in their architectural structure and form has been observed The number number of community community members members reached reached 100-300 100-300 individuals.
Misc.
Tarxien Temple
Mud and Clay Dwelling Dwelling
Misc.
Tabon Cave, Phillipine
Mehrgarh Mehrgarh Dwellings, Balochistan Balochistan
Misc. Track, England Sweet Track,
Nevali Cori, Turkey Turkey
Misc.
Ring
of Brodgar, Scotland
Skara Brae House, Scotland
Misc.
Pada Lin Caves, Myanmar
Knap of Howar, Howar, Scotland
