INDS 212
HISTORY of
ARCHITECTURE &
INTERIOR DESIGN
Lecture 3.
ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
MESOPOTAMIA & PERSIAN EMPIRE
The First Permanent Settlements
Where and when the first permanent settlements started being built?
What led to the settled way of living?
•The term civilization refers to complex societies, but the specific definition is contested.
•the ability of some agricultural settlements to consistently produce surplus food, which allowed some people to
specialize in non-agricultural work, which in turn allowed for increased production, trade, population, and social
stratification.
•where the geography was favorable to intensive agriculture.
•governments and states emerged as rulers gained control over larger areas and more resources, often using writing
and religion to maintain social hierarchies and consolidate power over larger areas and populations.
•writing allowed for the codification of laws, better methods of record-keeping, and the birth of literature, which fostered
the spread of shared cultural practices among larger populations.
2 Forms of Inquiry
anthropology
[ˌanθrəˈpɒlədʒi]
NOUN
1.the study of human societies and cultures and their development.Also called cultural
anthropology, social anthropology.
2.the study of human biological and physiological characteristics and their evolution.Also
called physical anthropology.
archaeology
[ˌɑːkɪˈɒlədʒi]
NOUN
1.the study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites
and the analysis of artefacts and other physical remains.
INDS 212
LECTURE 3 – ANCIENT
CIVILIZATIONS
• Figure 1 Reconstruction of
mammoth-bone structure,
Mezhirich, Ukraine, c. 15,000 B.C.E.
• The bones of mammoths served
as the material for structural
frameworks. A dwelling in Mezhirich
is made of mammoth bones partially
supported by a wooden frame. Hides
lining the hut serve as insulation.
• Mezhirich is considered one of the
oldest shelters known to have been
constructed by pre-historic man
(Pile, 2009).
Instructor: Ms. Cazacova 4
INDS 212– LECTURE 3 – ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
35 36
Figure 2 & 3 Reconstruction views of the buildings and shrine room of Catal Huyuk near Konya,
Turkey, c. 6500-5700 B.C.E. (Fazio, 2008).
All the buildings at Catal Huyuk were accessed from the rooftops. They form a continuous grouping, the
exterior walls of which form a de facto perimeter fortification. The buildings comprised dwellings,
workshops, and shrine rooms.
Instructor:K. Bennett 5
INDS 212– LECTURE 3 – ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
37 38
Figure 4, 5 & 6 Khirokitia village, Cyprus,
Neolithic period (9500 B.C. – 4500).
39 One of the earlier form of organized functional society
in a form of collective settlement, with fortifications
for communal protection.
Located on the slope of a hill in the valley of Marini
river, the village was cut off from the outside world,
apart from the river, by a strong wall of stones 2,5 m
thick, and 3 m high.
Access to the village was via several points through
the wall.
The buildings of different functions were round
shaped huddled close together and having a common
courtyard (Fazio, 2008) .
Instructor:K. Bennett 6
The First Permanent
Settlements
➢ The shift from nomadic hunting and gathering
cultures to those more permanent began in
10,000 B.C.E (particularly in regions like Near
East) (Blakemore, 2005). T
➢ he appearance of permanent settlements,
villages and towns and more lasting house
types was based on:
Why was Mesopotamia known as the Fertile
- The development of fixed-based
Crescent? Named for its rich soils,
agriculture; the Fertile Crescent, often called the “cradle of
- The invention of controlled use of fire; civilization,” is found in the Middle East.
- The invention of language; Irrigation and agriculture developed here
because of the fertile soil found near these
- The invention of mud brick; rivers. Access to water helped with farming and
- Specialized occupations appearance; trade routes. It occupies the area of
- The birth of market Society. present-day Iraq, and parts of Iran, Turkey,
Syria and Kuwait.
INDS 212– LECTURE 3 – ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
Ancient Civilizations
➢Both Ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt were instrumental
in developing many of the most essential features of
society such as: agriculture, irrigation, political structure,
laws, and writing.
➢Location – warm climate; flat land, climate (hot, limited
rainfall); Irrigation – control of water supply since
4000BC; Agriculture (crowing crops for cities
population feeding and for trade); Transportation
means ( sailboats, first solid-wheeled vehicles); Political
structure of city/civilization; Writing
Instructor:K. Bennett 8
INDS 212– LECTURE 3 – ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
Figure 7 Fertile Crescent and zone
of its influence
Instructor:K. Bennett 10
INDS 212– LECTURE 3 – ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
Figure 8 Mesopotamia Map
Instructor: K. Bennett 11
INDS 212– LECTURE 3 – ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
Ancient Mesopotamia
➢Mesopotamia location – between the Tigris and
Euphrates rivers (modern Iraq);
➢At the head of Persian Gulf, stretched north to Armenia,
east to foothills of Persia, far west to Syria, and south
toward the Arabian Desert;
➢Most of the cites located along the rivers
➢Lack of natural boundaries accessible for trade,
vulnerable to attacks necessity for defense city
walls;
➢Inhabited by several groups: Sumeria(4000-2000BC)
domination for a millennium – cities with well organized
social and political structure;
Instructor:K. Bennett 16
INDS 212– LECTURE 3 – ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
➢Followed by Acadians, the Babylonians, the Assyrians,
and the Chaldeans;
➢Babylonians - (2169-1926BC) introduced and developed
agriculture, writing, metallurgy, astronomy (the 12 signs
of zodiac), a single cod of laws for whole empire.
➢Assyrians - (c.1200-612BC) establishment of Empire from
north Africa to Persia with its capital Nineveh –
technological advances: spoked wheel, advanced plows,
and glazed pottery. The capital city has aqueduct that
supply water for the city needs;
➢Chaldean Empire – risen Babylon (612 BC) – technological
developments – glazed brick and tile, wide marble streets,
Hanging Gardens
Instructor:K. Bennett 18
Mesopotamian Craft and
Technology
• The White Temple and Great Ziggurat T he Bull Lyre 2680BCE The Victory Sele of Naram Sin Ashurbanipal and His Queen in the Garden
of UR 2100 BCE 2334BCE – 2154BCE 668 BC to 627 BC
• The Standard of Ur 2550BCE
• The Ishtar Gate 634BCE to 532BCE The twelve figures of Tell Asmar 2900 – 2350 BCE
INDS 212– LECTURE 3 – ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
Mesopotamia: Decorative Art
➢Animals such as ibex, lion, bull, bear, wolf, eagle, and
horse were pictured participating in human activities;
➢Griffins (mythical creatures with a lion’s body, an eagle
head and wings, sometime the tail of snake), winged lions
and bulls, and winged human figures.
➢Counterchange and gyronny patterns were used.
Instructor: Ms. Cazacova 25
Mesopotamian Technology
• Technology The Mesopotamians made
many technological discoveries. They were the first to use the
potter's wheel to make better pottery, they used irrigation to get
water to their crops, they used bronze metal (and later iron
metal) to make strong tools and weapons, and used looms to
weave cloth from wool.
Paper and Writing
The ancient Egyptians were among the first groups of people
to write and keep records of events that happened in their lives.
The earliest form of writing was in the form of hieroglyphics,
which, simply put, were drawings that portrayed a story.
Hieroglyphics are some of the oldest artifacts in the world today,
and the Egyptians used them to keep accurate records and
maintain control of their empire.
Click here to discover more about Hieroglyphics
INDS 212– LECTURE 3 – ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
Mesopotamia: Decorative Art
➢Changes from simple stylized designs to more natural
forms.
➢Relief figures in stone; carved figures in adobe brick prior
to firing, fired bricks;
➢Molding in brick to create three-dimensional design;
➢Motifs – derived from nature and geometric forms such
as zigzag and chevron/V-shape;
Figure 9 & 10
Mesopotamian
Decorative Art
Instructor:K. Bennett 28
INDS 212– LECTURE 3 – ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
Mesopotamia: Decorative Art
➢Paintings – figures represented on ground lines and
depicted with their heads and legs in profile and with
shoulders and eye shown frontally (the perspective was
not invented yet). The shells were used for eyes
emphasizing.
➢Inlay using shells, lapis lazuli, lime stone and other
materials
Figure 11 & 12 Mesopotamian Decorative Art
Instructor:K. Bennett 29
INDS 212– LECTURE 3 – ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
Mesopotamia: Architecture
Figure 13 A house in Iraq
➢Modern houses in Iraq
are similar to the Ancient
Mesopotamian Houses:
Bundles of reeds are tied
together to form a
framework.
Reed mats or wattle and
daub may fill the spaces
between bundles.
➢Adobe brick & stone foundations and load bearing walls
construction
➢Fired bricks & glazed brick, domes, arches &vaults
➢Clay used for plastering
Instructor:K. Bennett 30
INDS 212– LECTURE 3 – ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
Mesopotamia: Monumental Architecture
Walls surrounded the cities, access through gates flanked by towers;
Both walls and gates had crenellated battlements with stepped parapet
projections;
A battlement included the walkway along the top of the wall with crenellations
or alternating vertical recesses (crenels) and projections (merlons);
City gates and wall for protection and
to impress the visitors (prosperity of the city)
Figure 14 A Mesopotamian
Merlon of the city wall
Instructor:K. Bennett 31
INDS 212– LECTURE 3 – ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
Mesopotamia: Monumental Architecture
➢Babylon (c. 605-562BC) – first urban planning;
➢Paving ways (dromos) flanked with walls build of glazed
brick with relief led from the Ishtar gate to the temples;
➢Public buildings – temples
– function: religious and
administrative;
Figure 15 Babylon Walled
Ancient City
Instructor:K. Bennett 32
INDS 212– LECTURE 3 – ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
Mesopotamia: Monumental Architecture
➢Temple corners were oriented toward the cardinal points;
constructed on solid brick battered platform – to rise the
temple above house of mortals;
➢The temples were reconstructed and vertical extensions
were made in a way to form a stepped tower – ziggurat
➢The platforms could be
painted in different colors
with pottery jars embedded
in the walls and with cone
mosaics.
Figure 16 A ziggurat; the stairs lead
to the temple of the top of the ziggurat
Instructor:K. Bennett 33
INDS 212– LECTURE 3 – ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
Mesopotamia: Monumental Architecture
➢Summit Temple (usually near the ziggurat) – dwelling
like with a courtyard surrounded by wall.
➢Mesopotamian feature – temples two door were
staggered- no straight axis; Clerestory windows penetrate
the walls; colonnades bordered courtyard;
➢Exterior decoration- glazed brick and mosaics; Top of the
temple and over door ways– copper and semiprecious
stones
➢Statuary – animals, gods,
heroes (anthropomorphic
forms – animal with human
head) – in temple rooms
Instructor:K. Bennett Figure 17 Summit temple 34
INDS 212– LECTURE 3 – ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
Figure 18 The Lamassu – Mesopotamian anthropomorphic form
Figure 19 Nineveh – The capital of Assyria
Instructor:K. Bennett 35
INDS 212– LECTURE 3 – ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
Mesopotamia: Domestic Architecture
➢Dwellings – adobe brick, flat roof of wood beam covered
with mud (used for sleeping);
➢Wooden doors on pegs set into stone sockets.
➢Assyrians – were the first to emphasis the palace.
➢Build on artificial hill (40feet) and surrounded by wall
with gated entrance guarded by colossal figures for
entrance protection
➢Private rooms had
extra guards;
Figure 20 Mesopotamian dwelling
Instructor:K. Bennett 36
INDS 212– LECTURE 3 – ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
Mesopotamia: Domestic Architecture
➢Palace was composed of gated entrance, a ziggurat,
private apartments, rectangular throne room accessed
from courtyard, large reception room, kitchen, bedrooms
Figure 21 Mesopotamian palace
Instructor:K. Bennett 37
INDS 212– LECTURE 3 – ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
Mesopotamia – domestic architecture
One of the Seven Wonders of the World –
Babylonian Hanging Gardens, The Temple and
City walls
Figure 22 & 23 Hanging Gardens Neo-Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II
(605 - 562 BC) palace 38
Instructor:K. Bennett
INDS 212– LECTURE 3 – ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
Mesopotamia: Architectural Characteristics -
Summary
➢Adobe brick constructions with some use of fired brick or
stone
➢Glazed brick and tiles used for external facings
➢Surfaces covered with relief sculpture
➢Powerful sculpture anthropomorphic figures used as
guardians at gates
➢Ziggurats
➢Monumental stairways and gateways
➢Walls surrounding cities, temples, and palaces
➢Alternating projections recesses along walls
Instructor:K. Bennett 39
INDS 212– LECTURE 3 – ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
Mesopotamia: Interiors
➢Floors – simple earth, sometimes stone; Walls plastered,
horizontally divided into decorative bands
➢Dado – stone slabs relief on the lower part of the wall
➢Walls – covered with fresco paintings
• Decorative materials:
➢ cedar, cypress,
➢ alabaster,
➢ marble paneling or
➢ inlays of
➢ semiprecious stones
➢ (agate, onux, mother
➢ of –pearl, precious
metals
Figure 24 Mesopotamian interior
Instructor:K. Bennett 40
INDS 212– LECTURE 3 – ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
Mesopotamia: Furnishings
➢Stools, chairs, footstools, chests, tables, and beds;
➢Made of expensive woods
➢Beds – build-in platform used for sleeping and eating;
➢Stools and chairs for royalty only or reserved for deity;
➢Seat high and require footstool;
Figure 25 & 26 Mesopotamian Furniture
Instructor:K. Bennett 41
INDS 212– LECTURE 3 – ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
Mesopotamia: Decorative Motifs
Figure 27 The Palmette Figure 28 A Rosette Figure 29 A fir cone used
at the base of furniture legs
Figure 30 The Guilloche, used for lines
or bands
Figure 31 The three of life
Instructor:K. Bennett 42
INDS 212– LECTURE 3 – ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
Mesopotamia: Decorative Motifs
Figure 32 &33 Imbricated ornaments used as
diaper Pattern & three motif
Figure 34 &35 Lotus flower motif & geometric
forms
Instructor:K. Bennett 43
INDS 212– LECTURE 3 – ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
The Persian Empire (559BC-c.1600AD)
➢A series of empires that ruled what is now Iran for a
thousand years;
➢The later Achaemenid Empire was founded by Persian
Cyrus the Great (c.580-529BC) when he conquered
territories of Medes, Babylonians, and
others in the Near East;
➢Persian architecture was based on column
(Mesopotamian- load bearing walls)
with double capitals;
➢An impost, or block, was mounted on the
lower column capital and featured an
additional capital decorated with back to
back animals such as lions or horses
Instructor:K. Bennett
Figure 36 Persian column 44
INDS 212– LECTURE 3 – ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
Persian Architecture
➢Mainly the constructions were wooden, covered with
plaster and painted, even the relief was painted;
➢The use of stone was limited to columns, relief sculpture,
surrounding the openings, and platforms;
➢Many features were borrowed from other civilizations:
Moldings – from Egypt, glazed brick and parapet wall
with stepped battlements –from Babylon, sculptured
monsters – from Assyria, columns – from Greek;
➢Plans were square and important building were raised on
platforms;
➢Persian design was to have a significant effect on later
Byzantine, Islamic, and Moghul design.
Instructor:K. Bennett 45
INDS 212– LECTURE 3 – ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
Persian Architecture
➢Palace of Persepolis – stone platform accessed by a series
of steps designed in a way that horses can ascend;
➢A procession of relief figures guard the entrance, a stone
Lamassu guarded the gatehouse;
➢Persians adapted building components
and designs from cultures with which
they came in contact.
Figure 37 & 38 The Palace of Persepolis (518-460BC).
Instructor:K. Bennett 46
• Persian architecture uses symbolic geometry and pure forms
such as the circle and square, and plans are based on often
symmetrical layouts featuring rectangular courtyards and halls.
The early period was known for splendid ceramics from
Persepolis and Susa. Large bowls and goblets were common,
and 3D art became popular.
INDS 212– LECTURE 3 – ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
Persian Architecture
➢Apadana – raised on
additional 12 feet above
the platform, double
colonnaded porticoes on
three sides and four
towers;
➢Throne hall – hall of
Hundred Columns
(supported cedar roof);
➢The Dome was resting
on octagonal supporting
structure of two adjacent
walls (Squinch).
Figure 37 the Palace of Persepolis
(518-460BC), plan
Instructor:K. Bennett 48
INDS 212_PREHISTORY to EARLY CIVILIZATIONS – Prehistory to Early civilizations (continued)
Text Book:
1. Ireland, J., 2009, History of Interior Design, New York: Fairchild, pp.
24-40
References
1. Blakemore, R., G., (2005), History of Interior Design and Furniture: From Ancient Egypt to
Nineteenth –Century Europe, Second Edition, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons Inc., pp. 23-37
2. Ching, F., D., Jarzombek, M.M. & Prakash V., (2006), A Global History of Architecture, New Jersey:
John Wiley & Sons
3. Fazio, M., Moffett, M. & Wodehouse, L., (2008), A World History of Architecture, Boston: McGraw-
Hill, pp. 8- 54
5. Glancey, J., (2006), Architecture: World’s Greatest Buildings, History and Styles, Architects
(EYEWITNESS COMPANION GUIDES), DK Publishing
6. Miller, J. (2005), Furniture. World Styles from Classical to Contemporary, London: Dorling
Kindersley Books, pp. 20-22
6. Percier, C., (1991), Empire Stylebook of Interior Design: All 72 Plates from the “ Recueil De
Decorations Interieures” with New English Text, USA: Dover Publications
7. Pile, J., F., (2009), A History of Interior Design, Second Edition, London: Laurence King
Publishing, pp. 13-32
Instructor:K. Bennett 49
INDS 212_; PREHISTORY to EARLY CIVILIZATIONS – Prehistory to Early civilizations (continued)
12. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architecture _of _Mongolia, Retrieved 9.08.10
13. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inuit, Retrieved: 12.08.2010
14.www.theancientweb.com/explore/content.aspx?content_id... , Retrieved: 12.08.2010
15. www.lexic.us/definition-of/Matakam, , Retrieved: 13.08.2010
16.www.superstock.com/stock-photography/Straw+roof, , Retrieved: 13.08.2010
17.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trullo, Retrieved 19.08.2010
18.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weaving, Retrieved: 19.08.2010
19.art-smart.ci.manchester.ct.us/fiber-kente/kente.html, Retrieved: 10.08.2010
20.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kente_cloth, Retrieved: 10.08.2010
Instructor:K. Bennett 50
THANK YOU
Please note that there will be a Quiz on 21st September, 2021.
Quiz 1 topics will cover the Pre-historic to Ancient Civilization Lectures 1 & 2.
There will be a revision session on 14th September, 2021.
