Biblical Architecture

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Biblical Architecture

• Corey Miller
• HONRS 201
• November 4th, 2003

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Private Dwellings
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Tents

• Dated back to 1300 B.C.
• Made from goat skins or goat hair
• Placed on hilltop in Summer, valleys in winter
• Channels dug around to keep rainwater out
• Very portable

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Early Structures

• Made of hand-molded brick
• Several homes clustered around courtyard
• Foundation stone, floors dirt
• 2 stories ground for storage, 2nd for living

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Iron Age Houses

• Known as four-room house
• Middle room open above and used for cooking
• 2 side rooms used for storage and/or family
  industry (weaving, etc.)
• Last room for socializing, eating, and sleeping

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Typical 4-room home
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Later Developments

• Interior decoration used
• Wealthy began to build nicer homes
• Walls were now finely cut stone arranged in rows
• Walls covered in plaster, floor covered as well
• Homes now had own water reservoirs
• Some homes built against cliffs

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Biblical Cities
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The Citadel

• Administrative center
• Public buildings, palace of king, stronghold, and
  religious center found here
• Religious ceremonies (sacrifices, feasts) held
  here

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Public Buildings

• Occupied 45-60 of city
• Open markets turned into shops
• Zoning began as response to odors produced by
  some merchants (dying, tanning, etc.)
• Industries were metal working, pottery making,
  perfume making, wood working, basket and mat
  weaving, glassblowing in later periods, and the
  crafts

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Walls

• Most prominent feature of a Biblical city
• Walls/towers took up 15 of city
• Early walls made of mud or brick, reinforced with
  straw
• Later walls made of quarried stone
• Some walls 30 ft. thick and 50 ft. high
• Major line of defense

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The city wall
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Gates

• Busiest place in a city
• Open courtyard right inside where social,
  business, and legal matters took place
• Built with zigzag design so soldiers could easily
  attack intruders
• Gates had vertical and horizontal openings to
  attack enemy soldiers from within with boiling
  liquids, spears, rocks, and other sharp objects.

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Sources

• Cities
• http//www.bridgesforpeace.com/publications/dispat
  ch/everydaylife/Article-1.html
• Dwellings
• http//www.bridgesforpeace.com/publications/dispat
  ch/everydaylife/Article-18.html