Chapter 1- terms Flashcards
Post and Lintel
A lintel or header is a horizontal beam. A major architectural contribution of ancient Greece. The biggest disadvantages to this type of construction is the limited weight that can be held up, and the small distances required between the posts.
Trabeated Construction
Structural system based on the use of columns or posts and beams. Developed by the Egyptians. It is still the most important structural device used in Architecture today
Dolmen
A Neolithic stone formation, consisting of a horizontal stone supported by several vertical stones, and thought to be a tomb. They define interior space and its significance is the treatment of the dead, they are burial markers for leaders and those of significance in the society. Additionally, they served as places of ritual and worship. Polylithic type of megalithic structure
Menhir
a monument type that defines exterior space. Its a singular solitaire upright stone. Monolithic type of megalithic structure
What’s the difference between megalith, monolith, and menhir?
A menhir is a large upright standing stone. Menhirs may be found singly as monoliths, or as part of a group of similar stones. Their size can vary considerably; but their shape is generally uneven and squared, often tapering towards the top.
A megalith is a large stone which has been used to construct a structure or monument, either alone or together with other stones. Megalithic describes structures made of such large stones, utilizing an interlocking system without the use of mortar or cement.
A monolith is a geological feature such as a mountain, consisting of a single massive stone or rock, or a single piece of rock placed as, or within, a monument. Erosion usually exposes the geological formations, which are most often made of very hard and solid metamorphic or igneous rock.
Megalith Construction
Mega= Great, Lithos = Stone, A megalith is a large stone that has been used to construct a structure or monument, either alone or together with other stones. Megalithic describes structures made of such large stones, utilizing an interlocking system without the use of mortar or cement. Two types of structures “Polylithic” and “Monolithic”
Corbel Arch
The Newgrange passage tomb has an intact corbel arch supporting the roof of the main chamber, dating from about 3000BC. Although an improvement in load-bearing efficiency over the post and lintel design, corbeled arches are not entirely self-supporting structures, and it is sometimes termed a “false arch” for this reas
Jericho
Neolithic town 7000-6000BC, The first civilization, it was a defensive settlement. Surrounded by a defensive wall up to 27ft thick with towers. Population, 3k; public buildings storing water, houses as shelters that were rectulangular 2 room houses with lime-plaster walls anf floors
Pyramid
A structure where the outer surfaces are triangular and converge at a point, a 52 degree angle. The Mesopotamians built the earliest pyramidal structures, called ziggurats; brightly painted, constructed of sun-dried mud-brick. The first pyramid was the Step Pyramid at Saqqara, built for King Zoser in 2750 BC by Imhotep.
Ziggurat
Mud-brick stepped pyramids in Mesopotamia. the equivalent of the Egyptian pyramids, but ziggurat was not a tomb but a temple. The most famous ziggurat is the “tower of Babel” and Great Ziggurat of Ur, dwelling places for the gods
Trilithon
a structure consisting of two large vertical stones (posts) supporting a third stone set horizontally across the top (lintel), famous trilithons are those of Stonehenge in England and those found in the Megalithic temples of Malta. (Tri - three, lithos - stone)
Imhotep
His name means ‘The One Who Comes in Peace’ he was the priest for Zoser - one step below a Pharoh, founder of egyptian medicine, first recorded architect in history, an astromoner
Temple of Amon, Karnak
Definition
1500BC, aligned with the solstice, highly decorated. The largest temple in the world and is actually made up of a group of temples. The temple complex was built up over the course of millennia, an architectural record as different styles of different dynasties can be seen in one complex; while at the same time see very distinct similarities such as the building materials and the massive statues of pharaohs and gods.an artificial lake called Sacred Lake. The hypostyle most prodigious ever erected, 134 columns, 338 feet wide, 170 feet deep. The columns along the processional ailse are 69 feet tall, and the others are 42 feet.
Stonehenge
Definition
most famous Neolithic monument, constructed in three phases over a period of over 1400yrs, most important stone and the oldest one in the group is the heel stone which the solstice sun rises over. The rest of monument is made from bluestone quarried from Prescelly Mountains over two hundred miles away and saresen stones from around twenty miles away.
White Temple of Uruk
A simple ziggurat is the in ancient Sumer. clearly designed to be seen from a great distance across the plain of Sumer as it was elevated 40ft on a mound of earth, no corner bastions and covered in gypsum plaster which reflected sunlight like a mirror
