Survey of Architecture - Alexa Nicholl

Neolithic

10,000 BCE

The houses were simple, while there were more complex religious and burial structures. The purpose of many is still unknown. They used very rudimentary techniques because they had not yet developed tools. (Gobekli Tepe & Stonehenge)

Gobekli Tepe

10,000 BCE

It is possibly the first temple ever, made of several circular structures found on top of a hill in Turkey. Several stones have carvings, mostly of animals.

Ancient Egyptian

3500 BCE

The famous pyramids were built for pharaohs in this time period. These were made of stone and had many decorations -- carvings and hieroglyphs. They used this type of architecture to create great and lasting monuments and make their mark on the world. (Pyramids of Giza and obelisks)

Obelisk

3500 BCE

The Egyptians called them "tekhen," but these structures are more commonly known by the name the Greeks gave them: obelisks. They were "monolithic," or made of one stone and were always built in pairs. They had religious importance.

Stonehenge

3000 BCE

It is a circle of mysterious stones in England, believed to be of a religious nature.

Pyramids of Giza

2550 BCE

There were 3 built. The first two failed. The first was limestone and crumbled. The second, or "Bent Pyramid," was built on unstable ground. The third, or "Red Pyramid" was the first successful pyramid.

Assyrian

2000 BCE

Also in Mesopotamia, this people had stone and iron tools. Kings built impressive palaces to show wealth and power with many painted and decorated carvings. Buildings had structures called "orthostats" at the bases of walls, and relief carvings were popular and intricate. These people used more advanced techniques due to their tools and were able to be more detailed. (Dur-Sharrukin & Temple of Ishtar)

Meso-American

2000 BCE

This was split in 3: the Pre-Classical, Classical, and Post-Classical eras. There were many pyramids with tombs and temples built. Also, there were ball courts which had symbolic purposes. Metal tools were not used commonly, which explains why the structures are not architecturally complex. (La Venta & Pyramid of Quetzalcoatl)

Temple of Ishtar

1900 BCE

This temple was in the city of Ashur, a center of trade, near the Tigris River. It was very square and blocky with many relief carvings. Many people came to visit it.

La Venta

1800 BCE

Based in Mexico, this was created by the Olmec civilization. There are 3 areas: the sacred area, Great Pyramid, and plaza. Also, near there, are several carved colossal heads that may have been representative of great rulers.

Greek

900 BCE

They used the post-and-lintel system with columns and vaulted roofs. They had three main styles of columns: Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. They had many temples, stoas (covered public walkways), theaters, and more. They began using a completely new design because they were a very artistic people, but they were also a people of science and math and were just learning about the more intricate principles of architecture. (Temple of Hera & Parthenon)

Roman

800 BCE

They used a lot of Greek techniques, but added their own twists and created designs like the Tuscan column. They used many monolithic pillars. Some materials they used were marble and limestone, with lime mortar as well. (Pantheon & Colosseum)

Dur-Sharrukin

700 BCE

Otherwise known as the "Fortress of Sagon," this was created by the Assyrian King Sagon II who founded the Sagonid Dynasty. This was his capital, and it was a square mile surrounded by very thick walls.

Temple of Hera

590 BCE

Built in Olympia for Hera, it was very squat and long with Doric-style columns. Most of it was destroyed in an earthquake.

Parthenon

450 BCE

In Athens, Greece, this building was built with Doric-style columns. It had two rooms: the larger naos and the smaller opisthodomos.

Colosseum

70 BCE

It was an elliptical arena/ampitheater with 45,000 sitting places. It used many arches and Tuscan columns. It was built of quarried travertine stones.

Pantheon

27 BCE

It is temple in Rome, Italy for the worshipping of all Roman gods. It has Corinthian columns with an inscription over the entrance. Most amazing is the dome that was used, which was unusual for that time period.

Pyramid of Quetzalcoatl

1 CE

Also known as the Feathered Serpent Pyramid, this is a based in Teotihuacan, Mexico. It is decorated with snake-like creatures. Underneath was found the bodies of sacrificial victims.

Hagia Sofia

437

This features the dome that was very popular in the time. It had may delicate and decorative structures that were being added in this time period. It was a basilica, then later a mosque.

Byzantine

500

This used many Roman/Greek techniques. However, instead of long buildings with vaulted roofs, they began moving toward round buildings with domes. Murals and stain-glass became very popular. This period was a time of new design: the dome was new and grand and massive. The people began designing for more beauty than only function, starting with the structure itself.

Basilica Cistern

532

This was ordered to be built by Justinian I. It has many recycled pillars and was designed to be very symmetrical and repetitious. Also, it is underground.