Pre-Historic

The more recent the time period, the more remains we have. Since the Pre-Historic Period dates all the way back to 2,500,000 B.C.E there are still many unknowns about the people of these times. Even with the limited information available, researchers have been able to form conclusions that are able to give us a glimpse into what life might have looked like.

The Pre-Historic Period can be broken down into three main sections.

Paleolithic (2,500,000 - 9,000 B.C.E).

As some of the earliest inhabitants to live on this earth, people from this time period made do with existing natural items. For example, they would have taken advantage of ready-made structures like caves for shelter and used objects like stones and logs to sit on. Lascaux cave paintings are an ancient example of creating meaning in a space by decoration. 

Neolithic (9,000 - 2,000 B.C.E.)

During this time, people became less nomadic and started to settle into more permanent dwellings. The use of giant stones to create menhirs and dolmens became common. Menhirs were stones lifted upright and made into monuments. Dolmens relied on post and lintel construction (a horizontal piece on top of two vertical supports) to create an interior space.Stonehenge is a classic example of this phenomenon.

The Bronze Age (4,000 - 1,000 B.C.E.) 

Like its name suggests, people of this time started using materials other than stone such as metals to make objects. This shows that technological progress and aesthetics were now a part of their decision-making processes.Mohenjo-Daro was the premier city of this time. With a large population, this city was one of the first to have many civic amenities (like a street drainage system) and to be laid out on a grid.  

Modern Day Examples 
Post-and-lintel construction examples...

 

Helpful Videos
Lascaux Cave Virtual Tour | http://youtu.be/UnSq0c7jM-A
Stonehenge Virtual Tour | htt://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psEFrHt2wN7mY
Mahonjo-Daro Virtual Tour | http://youtu.be/uasE8pum8g8

Peer Reviews

Stephanie | While reading Stephanie's blog post I really enjoyed the picture she shared of the modern sandstone cave home in Missouri. It was really interesting how they incorporated the contemporary design of the exterior of the home with the natural surroundings.

Karri | I enjoyed the pictures that Karri shared of the Temple at Tarxien in Malta. The spiral designs and patterns that were carved into the stone were very beautiful!