Ancient Civilization

Ancient styles of antiquity coming from the prehistoric period originate in the areas of: Egypt, Mesopotamia, Nubia, Greece, and Rome. Around 4,000 BC larger towns and cities appeared. With the immediate needs of food and shelter secured, the people of this time were able to focus their energy on complex inventions and the arts. Two areas where early Western civilization first developed to high levels of complexity were the Nile valley of Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Nubia. If you are trying to picture the area in today's times, ancient Mesopotamia is current day Iraq and ancient Nubia is current day Ethiopia and Sudan. This blog will focus on factors that impacted design.

Due to the close proximity, these three civilizations interacted with and influenced each other. During this time large scale buildings were created and architecture was used to distinguish different classes of people. architecture was further used to show power and even intimidate the viewer. Advances were made in not only architecture, but also mathematics, written law, and sculpture during this time. Important artifacts were stored in the tombs of the pyramids. This blog will focus on Egypt.

The Nile River played a key role in ancient Egypt. The rainy season spans from July to September. In this area the Nile was important for agricultural production, transportation of building materials, communication, and trade. Timber was a key material used for construction at this time but its availability proved to be a challenge for the people. It was imported from Lebanon, and they imported Ash, Yew, Ebony, Elm, Boxwood, and Linden. It was also a local material and the woods ranged from Acacia, to Palm, and Sycamore. At this times modifications to construction was made and the joinery developed. Local vegetations of this time were inspiration for decorative schemes and had symbolic connotations. Some of the symbolic plants were lotus blossoms, palm, and the open papyrus flower. Carving of these natural elements was spiritual and used for aesthetic decoration. Other materials used for construction were mud, used for walls or bricks, and wood and stone, used for posts and beams.

The climate in this area had minimal rainfall, intense sunlight, and little variation in temperature. these impacted design in that flat roofs, outdoor spaces, window placement, and roof ventilators were all very well thought out.

Religion played a huge role in this area. They believed in life after death so they would bury their dead with important objects because they believed they could take it with them into the afterlife. Their important monuments were tombs and temples. Also, each specific town or region had their own gods. They payed respect to their gods though interior paintings, furniture design, decorative arts, and relief art.

Past Examples:

Current Examples:

Extra Credit:
This is a video exploring ancient Egypt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dm8945K4dH0
This is a longer documentary talking about the 10 greatest discoveries of ancient Egypt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izXto8cm5vs

Peer Review:
Becca: I really like how you incorporated your pictures of past examples into your writing so the reader knew what was happening in each picture. I also really like the picture you provided that shows the reader what the interior construction of the pyramids look like.
Claire: I like that you spoke exclusively about the design of the period and what patterns and colors were used during this time. I also think you found really nice examples of past Egyptian design and furniture.