HSTARC : West Asiatic Architecture

Putting aside the Prehistoric period which introduced to us how to construct structures and started a way of life, the West Asiatic period exhibited to us what a real society is- complete with the essence of towns and culture. West Asiatic architecture exhibited beauty in their creations and showcased early human's exceptional knowledge of art and architecture. They were able to synthesize artistry and craftsmanship. Though resources that time were scarce for them, they were able to come up with marvelous structures. They started having a sense and appreciation for good aesthetics and the purpose of different structures.

My sketch of the striding snak dragon of Marduk as seen at the Ishtar Gate

It is evident in the West Asiatic Architecture has developed a lot of ideas from Pre historic architecture. If men during the prehistoric times only considered their needs when building their structures, West Asiatic men planned everything from the purpose to the structures’ aesthetics with great consideration for their area’s geography, geology and climate. Lacking resources to build their structures, they were still able to come up with using simple mud bricks to create their beautiful empire which exhibits how resourceful they were. Though they seriously lacked building materials, they were still able to come up with the intricate designs of their structures which I think is really remarkable and astonishing. Since Chaldeae was situated near the river, floods tormented them thus resulting to situating their towns and palaces on elevated platforms. Assyria on the other hand was nearer mountains and had a hot dry climate which resulted to the introduction of open columned halls in palaces such as Susa and Persepolis.

We can see that Architectural Styles evolve after one period to another and the design considerations continue to add up. But we cannot fore-go the fact that without the West Asiatic period, the following civilizations would have not developed into societies as we call it. Thus, pointing out the importance of each and every period's contribution whether large or small.