Prehistoric Architecture: The Neolithic Period

Architecture has been a part of human culture for as long as humans have been around. Today, there are potentially thousands upon thousands of different styles of architecture. However, this is just a small slice of architecture that has existed over the ages. In history books, the Neolithic period is also known as the "New Stone Age."

During the New Stone Age, people began forming cultures. They began domesticating both plants and animals. They grew their own foods, made new stone tools and of course, they began building homes, villages and civilizations. That being said, it is easy to see why the Neolithic period is an important part of mankind's history.

Architecture: Homes and Structures of the Neolithic Period

Architecture dating back to the Neolithic period varies from region to region, depending entirely on the type of local materials available. Homes were built using mud, hard grasses, trees and stones.

In some areas, people were building circular homes out of stones and eventually, out of man-made mud bricks. The roofs of these buildings were also constructed out of local materials, such as a hard grass or wood; in order to protect the occupants from harsher weather. However, while the homes may have started out in a circular shape, some people of this period began constructing rectangular and square shaped homes as well.

Aside from homes, there were also other structures constructed during the Neolithic period. These large stone structures, known as megaliths, have been found in various locations all around the world. Those who study these structures suspect that they may have some sort of religious or astronomical significance, though no one knows for sure. The term "megalith" is comprised of two Greek words (megas lithos) meaning "great stone."

Famous Neolithic Architecture: Catal Huyuk and Stonehenge

Fortunately, archeologists have identified several Neolithic-era sites where these homes and even entire villages are still relatively well preserved. This includes a 32 acre town located in the south of Turkey known as Catal Huyuk. Catal Huyuk features houses that are not only rectangular in shape, but also have windows. Many of these structures were connected to each other, forming large "honeycombs." However, none of the homes contain a door and oddly, the only apparent entrance seems to be through the roof.

Aside from this village, there are many, many megaliths from the Neolithic era including the most famous of them all: Stonehenge. Unfortunately, as stated before, this exact use of this structure (located in the United Kingdom) is unknown, though it may have been for astronomical, religious or ceremonial purposes.

So whether you're looking at a classic Victorian home from the 1800s or a modern McMansion of today, remember―architecture began way back when.

Additional Information:

Encyclopedia: Neolithic Period

The Mystica: Megaliths

History World: History of Architecture

Megaliths.net