rock-cut architecture

(noun)

The creation of structures by excavating solid rock where it naturally occurs.

Related Terms

Examples of rock-cut architecture in the following topics:

  • Buddhist Rock-Cut Architecture

    • Rock-cut architecture is the practice of creating a structure by carving it out of solid natural rock.
    • Rock-cut architecture is the practice of creating a structure by carving it out of solid natural rock.
    • In India, the term ‘cave' is often applied in reference to rock-cut architecture; however, it must be distinguished from a naturally-occurring cave, as rock-cut architecture is a highly engineered and elaborately decorated structure.
    • The Barabar Caves in Bihar, built in the 3rd century BCE during the Mauryan period, are the oldest examples of Buddhist rock-cut architecture.
    • A notable trait of rock-cut architecture is the crafting of rock to imitate timbered and carved wood.

  • Maurya Dynasty

    • These pillars, often exquisitely decorated, are the most widespread example of Mauryan architecture that exists today, with more than 40 spread throughout the Indian subcontinent.
    • The Barabar Caves are the earliest example of Buddhist rock-cut architecture and were built during the Mauryan period.
    • The Barabar Caves in Bihur, built in the 3rd century BCE during the Mauryan period, are the oldest examples of Buddhist rock-cut architecture.
    • The most widespread example of Mauryan architecture that exists today are the Pillars of Ashoka, often exquisitely decorated, with more than 40 spread throughout the Indian subcontinent.
    • Describe the Barabar Caves, the Pillars of Ashoka, and other examples of architecture and art of the Maurya dynasty.

  • Architecture of Aksun and Lalibela

    • Aksum and Lalibela were cities in northern Ethiopia that, during their time, accomplished great feats of architecture.
    • Lalibela is a town in northern Ethiopia that is famous for its monolithic rock-cut churches.
    • The rural town is known around the world for its churches carved from the living rock, which play an important part in the history of rock-cut architecture.
    • Biete Giyorgis is one of the finest examples of rock-cut architecture in Ethiopia.
    • Identify the famous rock-cut churches of Lalibela and the stelae, obelisk, and Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion of Aksum.

  • Buddhist Wall Paintings

    • The rulers of the Gupta Empire were staunch supporters of the arts, science, literature, and architecture.
    • The Ajanta caves, Buddhist rock-cut architecture dating from the 2nd century BCE to 600 CE, contain wall paintings that were created during the Gupta period.
    • The Ellora caves consist of 34 rock-cut temples and monasteries belonging to Buddhist, Hindu, and Jaina faiths, built between the 5th and 10th centuries.
    • Sittanavasal dates from the 2nd century and is the most famous of the Jain rock-cut monasteries.
    • Describe the cave murals, rock-cut monasteries and miniature paintings created during India's early Medieval period.

  • Gupta and Post-Gupta

    • The Gupta Dynasty was an ancient Indian empire that is renowned for supporting art, literature, architecture, and science.
    • The rulers of the Gupta Empire were staunch supporters of the arts, science, literature, and architecture.
    • The Ajanta caves, Buddhist rock-cut architecture dating from the 2nd century BCE to 600 CE, contain wall paintings that were created during the Gupta period.
    • Great works of Hindu art and architecture from the period include the Dashavatara Temple in Deogarh .

  • Architecture of Hindu Temples

    • Hindu architecture, representing a plurality of beliefs, is commonly divided into the northern Nagara and southern Dravidian styles.
    • This was a deeply productive and creative period for Hindu temple architecture, and many beautiful examples survive to the present day.
    • Some surviving works include the monumental, rock-cut Kailashnath Temple (754–774 CE) dedicated to Shiva at Ellora in the western state of Maharashtra; the 11th century Brihadeeswarar Temple in Tanjore in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, which is India's largest temple; and the Sun Temple (1238–1250 CE) at Konarak in Orissa.
    • The 11th century Lingaraj Temple is a fine example of the north Indian Nagara style of temple architecture, marked by its curvilinear, beehive-shaped shikhara.
    • Differentiate between the northen Nagara and southern Dravidian styles of Hindu temple architecture

  • Art and Architecture of the Southwest Cultures

    • The indigenous peoples of the Southwest created magnificent works of pottery, jewelry, painting, weaving, and architecture.
    • These peoples were rich in culture and history, creating magnificent works of pottery, jewelry, painting, weaving, and architecture.
    • These villages, called pueblos by Spanish settlers, were often only accessible by rope or rock climbing.
    • Petroglyphs by these and the Mogollon culture's artists are represented in Dinosaur National Monument and at Newspaper Rock.
    • Describe the pottery and jewelry of the Ancestral Pueblo, the sandpainting and weaving of the Navajo, and the architecture of the Southwest region.

  • European Expressionist Architecture

    • Expressionist architecture was an architectural movement that developed in Europe during the first decades of the twentieth century in parallel with the expressionist visual and performing arts.
    • Expressionist architecture was individualistic and in many ways eschewed aesthetic dogma.
    • Themes of natural romantic phenomena, such as caves, mountains, lightning, crystal and rock formations
    • Draws as much from Moorish, Islamic, Egyptian, and Indian art and architecture as from Roman or Greek
    • Expressionist architecture utilized curved geometries and a recurring form in the movement is the dome.

  • The Pyramids of the Old Kingdom

    • Known as the "Age of the Pyramids," the Old Kingdom was characterized by revolutionary advancements in architecture.
    • A period of political stability and economic prosperity, it is characterized by revolutionary advancements in royal funerary architecture.
    • During the Old Kingdom, royal mastabas eventually developed into rock-cut "step pyramids" and then "true pyramids," although non-royal use of mastabas continued to be used for more than a thousand years.
    • Among these, the Pyramids of Giza are considered the greatest architectural achievement of the time.
    • These exterior blocks had to be carefully cut, transported by river barge to Giza, and dragged up ramps to the construction site.

  • Islamic Calligraphy

    • Calligraphic design was omnipresent in Islamic art in the Middle Ages, and is seen in all types of art including architecture and the decorative arts.
    • Calligraphy is found in several different types of art, such as architecture.  
    • The interior of The Dome of the Rock (Jerusalem, 691), for example, features calligraphic inscriptions of verses from the Qur'an as well as from additional sources.
    • The interior of The Dome of the Rock features many calligraphic inscriptions, from both the Qur'an and other sources, demonstrating the importance of calligraphy in Islamic art and its use in several different medias.