Early architecture, such as that from England, Malta, and Turkey, is full of unique characteristics and construction techniques. In this lesson, you will examine megalithic structures and their possible functions compared to modern-day cities. More specifically, you will learn about:
The transition from small, handheld objects to monumental stone structures suggests major societal changes and the development of agrarian civilizations.
Early architecture was prevalent between around 7400 BC to about 1500 BC. This is the tail end of the Stone Age, called the Neolithic Era, which means “new stone” or “new stone age.”
did you know
BC is before Christ. AD is Anno Domini, which is Latin for “in the year of our Lord.” Remember, there’s no year zero, so the year 1 AD immediately follows 1 BC.
terms to know
Agrarian
Farming or relating to land
Neolithic
The Stone Age, 7000-3000 BC
2. Post and Lintel and Corbelling
Post and lintel refers to a type of simple construction where a horizontal lintel is supported by two vertical posts. Corbelling is a way to add additional supports for the weaker areas when needed.
IN CONTEXT
A wide variety of materials can be used to construct post and lintel. Stone construction with large stones called megaliths were common materials for post and lintel. This type of construction tends to be very sturdy, as the load-bearing vertical posts take the majority of the weight. At the same time, the lintel distributes the overhead weight across its surface.
Take a look below at this image of post and lintel construction. Notice the large stones (megaliths) used in constructing the structure.
Post and lintel construction doesn’t lend itself to very tall structures because the unsupported portions on the middle and ends become the weak spots. As an alternative, corbelling can be used as a way of adding support for these weaker areas. It wasn’t until the invention of rounded and pointed arches centuries later that architecture was able to reach higher and higher.
Below is a diagram of corbelling. This is used when more support is needed.
terms to know
Post and Lintel Construction
A simple construction consisting of two vertical beams, or posts, and one horizontal beam, or lintel
Corbelling
A system of step support elements
Megalith
A very large stone
3. Stonehenge
The classic example of post and lintel construction is Stonehenge, one of the most famous Neolithic structures in Europe, if not the world. Construction began around 2900 BC and continued until around 1500 BC. Stonehenge is located on the Salisbury Plain in southern England.
“Henge” refers to a circular arrangement of posts or stones. These weren’t just any stones, however, but rather megaliths. Some of these were from as far away as 150 miles west of Stonehenge’s location.
did you know
The location of the megaliths might be a clue that the builders of Stonehenge migrated from the west and used the stones as a way of connecting to this important place.
IN CONTEXT
There have been many misleading theories of modern times with regards to Stonehenge. One of these is Stonehenge’s use as an astrological calendar or as a worship site for druids, which were Celtic priests. The most widely accepted purpose for Stonehenge is that it was used as a ceremonial site for death and burials.
This is Stonehenge as it is today:
Stonehenge 3000 BC to 2000 BC Sandstone and bluestone
Below is an example of the actual post and lintel construction. This is a 3D artistic rendering of the layout of a completed Stonehenge, with the megalithic structures that we tend to associate with the site. Those form the inner circles, surrounded by smaller stones in expanding concentric circles. On the outer edge is actually a ditch with edges that are built up on either side.
3d artistic rendering of Stonehenge layout
4. Malta and Early Architecture
Malta, a teeny-tiny island that lies in the Mediterranean Sea south of Sicily and Italy, has some of the most extensive and best-preserved remains of Neolithic structures in the world.
IN CONTEXT
This entrance to the Tarxien Temple in Malta, which was built around 3000 BC, is another great example of stone post and lintel construction. The temple itself contains both straight and curved walls, a combination of styles of masonry. It is thought to have served as a religious site, as evidence of sacrificial animal remains have been found at the site.
Tarxien Temples 3000 BC Limestone
term to know
Masonry
Stonework
5. Turkey and Chatal Huyuk
Chatal Huyuk, a Neolithic site located in Turkey, is of tremendous importance to our understanding of Neolithic communities and culture. It was constructed around 7400 BC and remained inhabited until around 6200 BC. During this time, its population fluctuated by around 3,000 people.
IN CONTEXT
When comparing Chatal Huyuk to a modern-day city, there are some staggering differences, apart from just the age. For example, there are no public buildings or streets. Instead, the personal enclosures are built right next to each other, connected by roofway accesses. Holes in the roofs and ladders were the entrances to homes in this area.
Here is an image of a reconstructed room in Chatal Huyuk:
Entrance to a home in Chatal Huyuk 7400-6200 BC
While this settlement might look like a shelter of sorts, it is much more than just that. Much of the day-to-day activity occurred within the city itself. Chatal Huyuk was a community with strong spiritual and ancestral connections. There are many preserved examples of elaborate artistic works on the walls depicting what appear to be hunting rituals. Familial and community burials took place within the actual homes, which suggests the possible importance that a continuous ancestral connection may have played in the day-to-day lives of Chatal Huyuk’s residents.
Chatal Huyuk has a number of well-preserved sculptures as well, such as this example of a seated mother goddess:
Goddess Mother of Chatal Huyuk 6000-5500 BC
Note the sculpture’s abstract appearance, as well as the grossly exaggerated feminine features, such as the breasts and the belly. These are elements found in Austria’s Venus of Willendorf, another example of prehistoric art, which precedes this piece by about 18,000 years, and is separated from it by about 1,300 miles. Another interesting note about this sculpture is how the size of the sculpture has changed.
did you know
As the lifestyle changed from nomadic to agrarian, we see a corresponding change from portable sculptural figurines such as this to larger, more permanent sculptural figures.
summary
In this lesson, you learned about the time period of early architecture, the Neolithic Era. During this era, post and lintel and corbelling were two types of construction used. Stonehenge, one of the most famous Neolithic structures in Europe, is just one example of post and lintel construction.
Finally, you examined Malta and early architecture as you looked at an entrance to the Tarxien Temple in Malta, which was built around 3000 BC. Additionally, you looked at Turkey and Chatal Huyuk, a profound example of Neolithic communities and culture.
Source: THIS TUTORIAL WAS AUTHORED BY IAN MCCONNELL FOR SOPHIA LEARNING. Please see our Terms of Use.
Terms to Know
Agrarian
Farming or relating to land.
Corbelling
A system of step support elements.
Masonry
Stonework.
Megalith
A very large stone.
Neolithic
The Stone Age 7000-3000 BC.
Post and Lintel Construction
A simple construction consisting of two vertical beams, or posts, and one horizontal beam, or lintel.
