The purposes of monumental architecture in the ancient worlds. Essay Example

Title: The purposes of monumental architecture in the ancient worlds

Chapter One

Introduction

1.1 Back ground

Ancient architectural monuments are big structures built in wide spaces certain purposes. Many of these structures are still in existence today. Many ancient kingdoms and cultures were involved in the making of these structures for various purposes. Some of them have survived the many years of tear and wear from the various climatic factors. Different ancient structures were built for various purposes such as burial for tombs, keeping gods and goddesses and worship for Temples Clayton (1988).

1.2 Problem statement

The many structures built in the ancient world had different purposes they served in those days. However since the collapse of the ancient kingdoms responsible for these structures they ceased to serve the purposes they were made for. Today many of them have ceased to exist. For those that exist their purpose of being made needs to be studied. Archaeologists have speculated over some of those whose purpose of construction is not clear at the moment. Some of them such as the tombs and pyramids are clearly known to have been burial places Muniga (1989).

1.3 Purpose of the study

This study is aimed at discovering the purposes of the architectural monuments build in the ancient world. Different types of structures were built for different purposes by people of many different cultures and kingdoms.

1.4 Questions of the study

What are the types of architectural monuments built in the ancient times?

What were the reasons for building these monuments?

Who were responsible for building these structures?

1.5 Objectives of the study

To find out the types of architectural monuments built in the ancient world.

To find out why these monuments were built

1.6 Limitations

This study may be limited because the data will be collected from secondary sources. Secondary data was collected to serve a different purpose and may not fit well in this study. Some data may also be out dated hence irrelevant.

1.7 Significance of study

This research is significant because it is going to serve as a source of information for further research about ancient monuments. It can also be used by the people who want to tour and study the various ancient monuments still existing.

Chapter Two

2.0 Literature Review

A tomb in the ancient world; location unspecified, Muniga (1989)

According to Muniga (1989) the ancient world had so many huge structures built for various reasons. Today they stand as monuments that have been preserved as a remembrance of the ancient cultures and kingdoms. Some of the ancient monuments known today are the pyramids of Egypt, the tombs in North Africa and the Middle East and other places. Temples are found in Europe and the Asian continent. Pyramids were used as tombs for kings in Egypt and Sudan. In Nigeria the pyramid was a temple.

Pyramid of Hellinikon in Greece; Muniga (1989)

The wives of the kings were also buried there David (1986). They also marked transition in power. Temples were used for housing the gods and goddesses of the Greek and Indians. They also served the same purpose in other places. The Jews used the Temple of Kings Herod and Solomon for worship. Tombs were use for housing dead bodies.

Sanctuary of Apollo in Delphi Central Greece; available at http://www.sacred-destinations.com/greece/greek-temples

Chapter Three

3.0 Methodology

The study will be depending on secondary sources for data collection. Data will be obtained from books, journals, magazines and the internet which contains historical information Mendlev (1994). The data will be analyzed critically to determine which of it will be included in the study.

Chapter Four

4.0 Budget

The budget is not expected to cost a lot of money since data collection will be done from secondary sources. The research is expected to cost approximately US $12.

References

Clayton, Peter and Price, Martin 1988: The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World Routledge

Mendlev, J. (1994).The architecture of ancient Monuments in North Africa, Thames and Hudson.

Edwards, I.E. (1991).The Pyramids of Egypt Penguin Books Ltd; New Ed edition.

Marx Muniga 1989, The Brilliant Constructions of the Ancient world; Cape London

D’Epiro, Peter, and Mary D. P, 1998«What Are the Seven Wonders of the World? And 100 Other Great Cultural Lists». Anchor. December 1.

David, A.R., 1986, The Pyramid Builders of Ancient Egypt: A modern investigation of Pharaoh’s workforce, Guild Publishing, London, p. 191,