Prehistoric Period

Prehistoric Period 
History of Furnishing and Interiors

Architecture in the Stone Age

The Stone Age introduced new arts and structures to the world. There were three main types of structures in the Stone Age: Cliff dwellings, Mud and Thatch Structures, and Free-standing stone monuments. Each Era, (Paleolithic Era, Mesolithic Era, and Neolithic Era), in the Stone Age embodied different variations of these structures as further developments took place. The Neolithic and Mesolithic Era structures/homes were often temporary. In the Neolithic era people started to build permanent structures using mud bricks which allowed for more sustainability. 

Paleolithic Dwellings (caves, huts, mammoth-bone structures, and pit houses):

Mesolithic Dwellings (Bambuti Huts, Lapp Tents, and Pit houses):

Neolithic Dwellings (Longhouses, Communities, and megalithic monuments):

Lascaux Caves

These caves were built during the Paleolithic Era. Lascaux is a network of faces in southwestern France. These caves contain over 6,000 figures and artistic elements, which were the first examples of human art.

Menhirs and Dolmens

These megalithic monuments were built during the Neolithic Era. Menhirs were giant stones placed vertically, and Dolmens were made of 2 giant stones places vertically with one stone lying across them. Dolmens demonstrated post-and-lintel construction as seen today in many buildings. 

Residential Homes

During the Neolithic Era, as architecture techniques started developing more, residential homes were built. These were apart of the first ever more permanent building types in the Stone Age. Mud and bricks were used to form these homes and voids were left to allow light inside the home. The fireplace and hearth were the center of the home. This architectural decision is why there are often fireplaces in the center living space of modern homes today. 

Stonehenge 

Stonehenge was the most impressive megalithic monument of the prehistoric era. Stonehenge was created as a place to hold rituals. The structure relied on many Dolmens or post-and-lintel construction. Stonehenge was created in England. Inside the large ring of stones lays a smaller ring of bluestones. This structures reaches about 13 feet high. 

Skara Brae 

Skara Brae is a Neolithic village in Scotland. The village is made up of 10 curvilinear homes built of stone without the use of mortar. they are made of flatter stones laid upon one another. This village is almost perfectly intact today and many go to visit. 

Catal Huyuk 

Catal Huyuk is a large Neolithic and Chalcolithic proto-city settlement located in Turkey. This city settlement is important because it shows the advances in interiors and more. Each home had a piped sewer system that brought their waste to the ocean. They also had much cleaner looking spaces with more decor and finishes. The settlement was well organized and brought people closer together. 

Cahokia Mounds 

The Cahokia Mounds is considered to the largest and most complex archeological site north of the great pre-Columbian cities in Mexico. The people who lived here were advanced builders. They achieved a variety of structures from homes, to public works. The Mounds are located in Illinois and many go to visit/walk them! 

My favorite architecture, art furniture, interiors of this period

My favorite part of the prehistoric period are the interiors of homes, such as those seen in the Catal Huyuk. I find the interiors of the Catal Huyuk beautiful. They embody minimalism and nature, using wood and clay pieces to bring their homes together. Although not much art and colors are inside, the interior looks clean and well put together. The interiors of the prehistoric period can be see in some homes today (as seen below). I love a minimalistic clean look! 

Additional links

A video about the cave art found in the prehistoric period. 

The first glimpse of art shown in the world. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjejoT1gFOc

A video about the uncovering of the Catal Huyuk. 

This video dives into humanities first steps towards modern civilization. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUpuA-D-5ls