Architecture, as everybody recognises it, is a subject that encompasses art and science. There are many architectural splendors around the globe which are being applauded for their intricate design patterns. They represent the culture and aspects of a certain region. It helps in reminding people of their historical connection, evolution and the culture they are part of. It helps modern architects to understand how few locally available materials can make a vast difference in creating such intricate designs. Also, these materials were capable of protecting them from extreme climates. It has also served as a foundation for modern-day studies. These designs were Since it is such an important aspect of our lives, how can one imagine their life without the existence of architecture?
Ancient architecture:
Architecture first originated in the Neolithic period during 10,000 BC, when human beings started to look for a place to reside. There is a possibility that if architecture did not exist then one could have stayed in the caves forever or probably stayed under any other natural shelter, which is a jungle. Additionally, if shelter wasn’t an essential need for homo-sapiens, then they could not have evolved and explored their surroundings. In the stone age, people used to stay in a shelter made of animal bones and skin. The shelter developed at that time was not that strong to bear the extremities of the changing climate and the dangers the surroundings could bear.
This led to the change in the choice of materials for shelter, for discovering materials which are stronger and have higher bearing capacity than the materials that were used earlier. This development and search for better materials and shelter led to the birth of architecture which later gained an artistic point of view and led rise to present-day structures. The thriving mind’s imagination would have been limited to a mere cave as a place to stay if this had not been a part of that time.
Initiation of development:
Architecture developed as homo-sapiens tried to evolve and reach out for new materials and techniques to create a safer environment. It evolved as a response to the extreme climate when the humans were losing the thick skin hair layer that was earlier helping them in insulating their bodies. They created strategies and methods that would assist them in responding to the climate. From all those activities the term got its present meaning. It is important to recognise that architecture is more than mere art expressed objectively. Architecture is rather complex as it contains the concoction of multiple disciplines. It includes climate, availability of locally available materials, construction techniques, sociology, psychology of the user, economy, and many other specialities.
The personage cannot exist without architecture because it has supported them in adapting to conditions thrown by the physical environment. As a result, different types of structures got constructed and aided in the development of society as a whole. The reason for how the world can track the history of ancient civilization lies in architecture because nobody is mortal in this world. Everything needs to end for the initiation of something new. The remains of the past helped in recognizing the cultures and customs that were followed back then.
Connection of past through architecture:
Like the ancient temples in India, the sun temple in Konark for instance has the entire human probe being ornamented on its walls intricately. The temple is dedicated to the sun god of the thirteenth century and the cult associated with him. Similarly, many temples in India are based on the concept of storytelling, with each temple having a similar layout beginning with the Padas where devotees can perform the parikramas, followed by the Mandapa, which is the pillared hall where all devotees gather to wait for their turn to worship. Mandapa is followed by Antrala, a concourse connecting the mandapa and the shrine. Following Antrala sits the shrine known as Garbhagriha, which is where the idol resides.
Similarly, some of the temples like the Khajuraho group of temples depict the life of Nayikas (female mainstay) and deities of that time. The walls of Khajurao also depict numerous spiritual principles and meditation techniques with the help of exhilarating craftsmanship. If there were no architecture back then people today would not be able to know anything about the magnificent past and history their ancestors were able to mark.
Since humans have come a long way in terms of evolution and architecture, it has helped them in entailing their culture and history along. The personage of that time would not have prospected the ways of hunting and all the activities that lead them to the present times if they did not understand their surroundings. Hence, architecture is crucial for keeping people informed about their society and people of the time and place. As an outcome, it’s challenging to envision a world without architecture and associated disciplines.
CITATIONS:
ONLINE SOURCES:
Ushistory.org. 2022. Prehistoric Times [ushistory.org]. [online] Available at: <https://www.ushistory.org/civ/2.asp> [Accessed 2 October 2022].
Culturalindia.net. 2022. Indian Temple Architecture – Evolution, Type, Design Layout Plan & Difference in North & South Indian Temples. [online] Available at: <https://www.culturalindia.net/indian-architecture/ancient-architecture/temple-architecture.html> [Accessed 2 October 2022].
Centre, U., 2022. Sun Temple, Konârak. [online] Whc.unesco.org. Available at: <https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/246/> [Accessed 2 October 2022].
Mptourism.com. 2022. Khajuraho – UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India | MPTourism. [online] Available at: <https://www.mptourism.com/destination-khajuraho.php> [Accessed 2 October 2022].
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IMAGES:
Khan Academy. 2022. Apollo 11 Stones (article) | Khan Academy. [online] Available at: <https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-art-history/global-prehistory-ap/paleolithic-mesolithic-neolithic-apah/a/apollo-11-stones-2> [Accessed 9 October 2022].
Earthly Mission. 2022. Perfectly Preserved Mammoth Bone Dwellings Found in Ukraine May Be the Earliest Exaples of Architecture. [online] Available at: <https://earthlymission.com/mezhyrich-perfectly-preserved-mammoth-bone-dwellings-shelters-ukraine-earliest-examples-architecture/> [Accessed 9 October 2022].
Centre, U., 2022. Sun Temple, Konârak. [online] Whc.unesco.org. Available at: <https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/246/gallery/> [Accessed 2 October 2022].
Centre, U., 2022. Khajuraho Group of Monuments. [online] Whc.unesco.org. Available at: <https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/240/gallery/&index=13&maxrows=12> [Accessed 2 October 2022].
