1. History of Architecture - I
Kurdistan Region-Iraq
ISHIK UNIVERSITY
Department of Architecture
History of Architecture - I 3
Architecture of Ancient Civilizations
(Mesopotamia)
By:
Nizar Najim
Assistant Lecturer

2. 3.2. Natural Environment Characters:
History of Architecture - I 3. Architecture of Ancient Civilizations (Mesopotamia)
3.1. Introduction:
Mesopotamia is the cradle of civilization, the oldest human societies were discovered on its lands since the ancient stone ages
3.2. Natural Environment Characters:
Geography Characters: Located on a region called historically “the Fertile Crescent”
Topography: various and different climate
Resources: The plains of the fertile crescent are characterized with the two famous rivers; “Tigris and Euphrates”
Geology Nature: Plays a big role in providing raw materials
Environment: Sever, provided the architecture special characters
Prevailing Winds: North west and South west having special effects on location and orientation of cities and buildings.

3. History of Architecture - I 3
History of Architecture - I 3. Architecture of Ancient Civilizations (Mesopotamia)
3.2. Natural Environment Characters:

4. 3.3. Social Environment Characters:
History of Architecture - I 3. Architecture of Ancient Civilizations (Mesopotamia)
3.3. Social Environment Characters:
Social Structure: Inhabitants are; “ Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, Assyrians, in addition to some other invader nations.
Religious and spiritual believes and thoughts: Creation, name, numbers, life cycle
3.4. Prehistoric Phases:
Eridu Phase 5300 – 4900 B.C.
Haj Mohammed Phase 4900 – 4300 B.C.
Halaf Phase 4900 – 4300
2nd & 3rd Ubaid Phase 4300 – 3500 B.C.
Uruk Phase 3700 – 3100 B.C.
Jemdet Nasr Phase 3100 – 2900 B.C.
4th Ubaid Phase: Coincides with the late stone age

5. History of Architecture - I 3
History of Architecture - I 3. Architecture of Ancient Civilizations (Mesopotamia)
3.5. Art of Mesopotamia:
The main forms of Mesopotamian art which have come down to us are sculptured figures in stone and clay. Few paintings have survived.
Mesopotamian sculpture comes in all sizes, and appears in the round and as reliefs. It often depicts animals, such as goats, rams, bulls and lions, as well as mythical creatures such as lions and bulls with men's heads. 
Others show gods and goddesses, as well as priests and worshippers.
Most human figures from the early period have large, staring eyes, and long beards.
As time goes by the figures become increasingly realistic. Under the Assyrian and Babylonian empires, sculpture takes on a colossal form, with giant statues guarding the royal palaces.
On a smaller scale, cylinder seals come from all periods of Mesopotamian history. many are beautifully executed, with highly complex and sophisticated designs.

6. History of Architecture - I 3
History of Architecture - I 3. Architecture of Ancient Civilizations (Mesopotamia)
3.5. Art of Mesopotamia:
2-dimensional art in Mesopotamia was dominated by inlaid panels, mosaic, and to a limited extent dry fresco, images.
Very few painted images have survived, the destruction of city-states by military conquest and natural environmental deterioration.
2-dimensional representations that exist show highly idealized and simplified conical figures in visual narratives.
Sculpture: Geometric, based upon cone and cylinder, images representing gods and kings believed to be present in spirit within their images.
Frontal poises with enlarged eyes, the window to the soul, arms and legs have the roundness of pipes, and long skirt-like robes are smoothly carved as if by a lathe in a conical taper.
Animal images, associated with deities, are realistic and energetic.

7. History of Architecture - I 3
History of Architecture - I 3. Architecture of Ancient Civilizations (Mesopotamia)
3.5. Art of Mesopotamia:

8. History of Architecture - I 3
History of Architecture - I 3. Architecture of Ancient Civilizations (Mesopotamia)
3.5. Art of Mesopotamia:

9. 3.6. Architecture of Mesopotamia:
History of Architecture - I 3. Architecture of Ancient Civilizations (Mesopotamia)
3.6. Architecture of Mesopotamia:
Temples:
Mesopotamian temples were designed to a rectangular plan.
Early examples were constructed atop a small earthen platform; as time went by, these platforms became taller and taller, giving rise to the classic Mesopotamian ziggurat.
Ziggurats probably represented the sacred mountain where gods and men could meet.
They were brick-built temple-mounds, taking the form of a layered platform. They resembled step pyramids with a flat roof, on which a shrine would be built.
Access to this shrine was by a broad staircase or ramp.
Surrounding the central temple building was a complex of ceremonial courtyards, shrines, burial chambers for the priests and priestesses, ceremonial banqueting halls, along with workshops, granaries, storehouse and administrative buildings, as temples were main centers of economic and administrative activity in ancient Mesopotamia.

10. History of Architecture - I 3
History of Architecture - I 3. Architecture of Ancient Civilizations (Mesopotamia)
3.6. Architecture of Mesopotamia:

11. 3.6. Architecture of Mesopotamia:
History of Architecture - I 3. Architecture of Ancient Civilizations (Mesopotamia)
3.6. Architecture of Mesopotamia:
Palaces:
The palaces of Mesopotamian rulers were large and lavishly decorated.
Built around a series of courtyards, these complexes housed craftsmen's workshops, servants quarters, food storehouses, shrines, and the domestic accommodation for the royal family.
The largest of these led off to the throne room, of a size and majesty designed to stun visitors.
The palace walls were decorated with carved stone slabs on which pictorial and textual depictions of cultural scenes or the Kings' deeds.
Gates and important passageways were flanked with massive stone sculptures of mythological figures.
Outside, these palaces were often adjoined to expansive gardens and parks, stocked with wild animals for hunting.

12. History of Architecture - I 3
History of Architecture - I 3. Architecture of Ancient Civilizations (Mesopotamia)
3.6. Architecture of Mesopotamia:

13. 3.6. Architecture of Mesopotamia:
History of Architecture - I 3. Architecture of Ancient Civilizations (Mesopotamia)
3.6. Architecture of Mesopotamia:
Houses:
The materials used to build a Mesopotamian house were the same as those used today: sun baked brick made of mud mixed with straw, mud plaster and wooden doors.
These all used materials naturally available in the locality.
Most large houses, whether in town or country, were built around a courtyard.
Off one side was a large square room, where the family received guests and ate together.
Leading off this room were the private family quarters. Other sides of the courtyard led to the kitchen, store rooms and servants accommodation.
The homes of the poor were probably built of materials such as mud and reeds, which have long since perished.

14. History of Architecture - I 3
History of Architecture - I 3. Architecture of Ancient Civilizations (Mesopotamia)
3.7. Sumer:
The Cities of Sumer:
Sumerian Have Established roughly a dozens of city-states consists of walled Metropolis dominated by a Ziggurat (Pyramid like).
Houses were constructed from bundled marsh reeds or mud bricks.
Complex irrigation canals to use the water of Tigris and Euphrates for farming
Major Sumerian cities: Eridu, Ur, Lagash, Uruk (Population: 40,000 – 80,000), … etc.
Sumerian cities engaged in war that resulted in several deferent dynasties
During later stages of their history, they were attacked by Elamites, Akkadian, and Gutians

15. History of Architecture - I 3
History of Architecture - I 3. Architecture of Ancient Civilizations (Mesopotamia)
3.7. Sumer:
The Culture of Sumer:
Cuneiform: a Latin term meaning “Wedge shaped” in several hundreds characters, on wet clay with reeds
Business, accounts, and records,
Law, grammar, literature
The Art of Sumer:
Arches, ramps, columns
Sculpture
Cylindrical seals

16. History of Architecture - I 3
History of Architecture - I 3. Architecture of Ancient Civilizations (Mesopotamia)
3.7. Sumer:
Math & Sciences:
Systems based on number 60
Geometry
May have been the first to use the wheel
Invented the plow
Basic Surgery
Trade and Society:
Existence of timber, stone, and mineral helped forming a trading network with Dilmun (Current Bahrain)
Society hierarchy
Distinct male/female roles.

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History of Architecture - I 3. Architecture of Ancient Civilizations (Mesopotamia)
3.7. Sumer:
Architecture:

18. History of Architecture - I 3
History of Architecture - I 3. Architecture of Ancient Civilizations (Mesopotamia)
3.7. Sumer:
Architecture:

19. History of Architecture - I 3
History of Architecture - I 3. Architecture of Ancient Civilizations (Mesopotamia)
3.7. Sumer:
Architecture:

20. History of Architecture - I 3
History of Architecture - I 3. Architecture of Ancient Civilizations (Mesopotamia)
3.7. Sumer:
Architecture:

21. History of Architecture - I 3
History of Architecture - I 3. Architecture of Ancient Civilizations (Mesopotamia)
3.7. Sumer:
Architecture:

22. History of Architecture - I : 3. References:
1. Ching, Francis D.K., “A Global History of Architectural”, Second Edition, John Wiley& Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey, 2011
2. Fletcher, Banister, “A History of Architectural on the Comparative Method”, Fifth Edition, Pradbury, Agnew & Co. Limited Printers, London, 2011
3. KOSTOF SPIRO, “A History of Architecture: Settings and Rituals”, Oxford University Press, USA, 1995
4. Mansbridge, John, “Graphic History of Architecture”,
Hennessey & Ingalls, 1999