Neolithic ArchitectureWhat is Neolithic Architecture?
Neolithic Architecture emerged as people changed from living as Nomadic 'Hunter Gatherers' to permanently settling in specific areas. The Neolithic Period - also known as the Stone Age - dates to between 3000 - 1800 BC. During the Neolithic period the social and cultural environment moved on to domesticating animals, planting crops and making use of Neolithic stone tools. Moving from food-collecting cultures to food-producing ones. Causewayed Camps
Stonehenge The History of Neolithic Architecture
The History of Neolithic Architecture is both mysterious and awe inspiring. Neolithic Architecture is where we can start the history of British Castles! Massive Stone Monoliths such as Stonehenge, and other Stone Circles, were built. Neolithic architecture made use of large stones called Megaliths which weighed up to 4 tons and the amazing Trilithons which weighed about 45 tons! Neolithic Architecture also saw the emergence of Stone Age Causewayed Camps. Neolithic Causewayed Camps were built built on hilltops and consisted of a central ritual area which was surrounded by several concentric, or spiral, rings of banks and ditches. The means of crossing the ditches, or defences, were by several causeways ( raised roadways ) hence the name of 'Causewayed Camps'! Ditch Rings were built and used for funeral customs. Our ideas about Neolithic Architecture move from uncivilised cave dwellers to great builders, architects and engineers who built massive structures which still have the power to amaze modern man! Neolithic Architecture - Time
Time is an important factor in Neolithic architecture: Social and cultural change? Neolithic Architecture, especially in respect of the Causewayed Camps, reflected the social changes of people - living in permanent settlements and the domestication of animals and crops The Neolithic Monoliths reflected the cultural requirements of the era - sacred monument built for meetings and religious purposes Ditch Rings which were built to accommodate funeral customs
Changing needs of the population? The Neolithic population had moved to permanent living areas - the Neolithic Architecture of the Causewayed Camps. Used as meeting places, trading, animal compounds and defence from intruders. A safe retreat against intrusion or invasion from other Neolithic, or Stone Age, tribes
What materials were readily available for Neolithic Architecture? Were the materials easily accessible? How would the materials be transported? Stone was moved by river whenever possible ( the River Avon is just two kilometres away from Stonehenge) The wheel had not even been invented! Sheer man power was used to pull or drag the huge building stones It is possible that Neolithic man waited until the cold winter months when the huge stones could be more easily transported across ice
What technology, in terms of the building tools, were available? New building techniques, construction methods and ideas The Skills available? The Workforce? Many skills were required - building, stone cutting, transportation, organising resources etc. To build the monoliths would have taken a labour force of thousands - mostly slaves!
The answers to these basic questions relating to Neolithic architecture provide a historical doorway into past cultures and eras. Neolithic Architecture - Location
The location is an extremely crucial aspect of Neolithic architecture. Deciding where a structure should be situated was a major consideration: Causewayed Camps - Defensive and offensive advantages On top of a hill - site of Causewayed Camps Located close to a river or the sea - Transportation of stones to Stonehenge Symbolic reasons for location? Could be for building Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain but the symbolic reasons for the location have been lost in the mists of time - there is, however, evidence that the site or location of the stones are important in terms of the Summer and Winter equinox and the movement of the moon
Neolithic Architecture - Design
The design of Neolithic architecture had to be a combination of practical use and the aesthetic design! Neolithic architecture had to take the following into consideration: What did the design and architecture of the Causewayed Camps want to convey? Fear, Awe, Domination, Envy, Submission, Respect, Power, Wealth - exactly the same requirements as for castles! Economy - The Neolithic Causewayed Camps would have required considerable expense in terms of man power and deployment of labour - the use of slaves was considerable
Architecture in England
The different styles of architecture in Britain provide a historical doorway into past cultures and eras and provide an insight into the development of the Medieval Castles of England and Wales. |
