Ancient Egypt

Through the dynasties and pharaohs that ruled Ancient Egypt, many impressive monuments and artistic achievements were made.The people of this time lived in small villages where items such as flint blades, grain storage pits, and animals bones were found. Egypt was on the Nile and had access to a lot of stone. Slaves and laborers worked in fields and crafted the magnificent monuments. Egyptian religion was focused on death and afterlife. Because of this, the architecture and material culture of this time focused on mediating between the ruling elite and gods, Earth, and heaven.

Monuments & Pyramids

The first monumental use of stone was with scaled columns. These columns were based on natural forms, such as bundles of reeds and open lotus blossoms. This creative approach would have an influence on many later periods as well. The elite perfected the practice of entombing the dead in pyramids. This custom included items to serve in the afterlife, so we have the oldest surviving pieces of furniture, including wooden furniture. Our knowledge of the Ancient Egyptians comes a great deal from the art and artifacts found in the tombs.

Art
Egyptian art was very conventional and conservative, meaning that changes came slowly, over the course of centuries. The art reflected a boxlike conception of the world, an idealized view of nature. For example, the human figure was often painted so each body part is shown in the way that shows it best. The body and eyes would be painted frontally and the face and feet would be in profile view. 

Furniture 
The furniture found from this time seems to revolve around two systems: the importance of simple geometry and a sensitivity to the shape of the human figure. There was a huge reliance on geometry; many pieces incorporated cubic and grid-like designs. Along with the overall composition would show an initial reliance on a grid, there was often a curved seat. This provided added comfort to the body and would eventually become characteristic of most furniture from this time. 

Modern Examples
Below, you can see some examples of Ancient Egyptian inspired interiors. These designs can be distinguished as Ancient Egyptian because of the use of metals and geometric patterns.

Helpful Videos
The Style of Ancient Egyptian Art | http://youtu.be/rOUjDIX37o4
World History Crash Course: Ancient Egypt | http://youtu.be/Z3Wvw6BivVI
Tombs of Ancient Egypt | http://youtu.be/CcnWUgc7xGo

Peer Reviews
Haley | I enjoyed how Haley explained the different orders of status that a person might have at this period and how this affected the way that they lived. That really helped to be able to imagine what life would have looked like at this time. The pictures that she posted were also very helpful. I especially liked the modern home that was shaped as a pyramid. It was interesting how they incorporated the contemporary style without losing the main shape of the pyramid. 
Nichole | I liked how Nichole went into more detail about the monuments that were built during this time. The video she posted was also very helpful in imagining what they look like. Since the monuments built at this time period were such a big part of the Ancient Civilization life, understanding them allows you to get a further glimpse into what influenced daily life at that time. 

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!