rock-cut architecture

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

• Etruscan Artifacts

  • Nonetheless, relatively little is known about the architecture of the ancient Etruscans.
  • What is known is that they adapted the native Italic styles with influence from the external appearance of Greek architecture.
  • Etruscan architecture is not generally considered part of the body of Greco-Roman classical architecture.
  • In the southern Etruscan area, tombs contain large rock-cut chambers under a tumulus in large necropoli.

• 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.