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Architecture of Jordan
The architecture of Jordan has been subject to vast development, specifically in the final years of the twentieth century. Jordan is a semi-arid country located in the Middle East. Its location has great significance to Christians, Muslims and Jews as it is considered part of the Holy Land.
The traditional architecture in Jordan can be attributed to many factors, which have played a pivotal role in shaping Jordanian culture. These factors include the different groups of people who have lived in the land, the mostly arid desert climate and the terrain, which is dominated by the Jordan River Valley, the Dead Sea, and the Jordanian Highlands. As a result of increased urbanisation and an open approach to global architectural trends, Jordanian architecture began to neutralise the traditional forms of architecture that dominated the region.
Evidence of inhabitancy in Jordan can be dated back to the Palaeolithic period. The diversity of style of Jordanian architecture such as temples, castles and mosques can be credited to the wide-ranging cultures that have resided in the land. They include the three kingdoms; Edom, Moab and Ammon, as well as the Roman Empire, Nabataea Kingdom and the Ottoman Empire. As there were no qualified Jordanian architects in this time period, the buildings were constructed by local builders or Arabs from neighbouring countries such as Syria and Palestine.
The architecture of Petra is the most recognisable from Jordan due to its popularity among tourists. Petra was a city that was at the centre of trade between the Middle East and the Roman Empire. It was a city of ingenuity and wealth. The original settlements in Petra were constructed of rough stones and clay. The designs were simple and were likely used for travellers to store items. Once the population in Petra began to grow, the infrastructure such as tombs and monuments incorporated the designs of their trading partners. Their architectural style was Nabataean, incorporating the influences of Assyrian, Egyptian, Greek and Roman civilisations. The rock-cut facades are the most iconic monuments in Petra.
Workers used four main stone working tools when constructing the monuments. A pick-axe, a pointed chisel to smooth over rough cuts, a toothed chisel to create the parallel lines and a flat chisel for smoothing and dressing the cut stone. Plaster was often used when mistakes were made on the rock face to glue new pieces of rock. The mason would cut the mistake from the monument and replace it.
The Treasury or Al-Khazneh is a monument carved out of the sandstone rock face in Petra. It was carved during the reign of the Nabataean King Aretas IV Philopatris at the start of the 1st century AD. It stands at 80 feet wide and 127 feet tall.
Using only iron chisels and hammers, it was constructed from top down. On the upper level, the rock face is decorated with Amazons and Victories, in the centre a female figure stands on the tholos (a circular building). Ornate Corinthian columns support the various structures. The entrance is guarded by the statues of the twins Castor and Pollux, figures in Greek and Roman mythology. These sculptures link the decoration to Hellenistic themes. Over time, these intricate details have eroded. The entrance leads to three separate chambers. Whilst the exterior of the building is intricate, the interior is reasonably plain without any ornate designs.
An example of one of the tombs located in Petra is the Monastery or Ad Deir. It is believed that this tomb was completed in the mid-first century as a dedication to King Obodas III. The building stands at 50m high and 45m tall. It’s simple Doric friezes made up of alternating circular metopes and triglyphs.
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Architecture of Jordan
The architecture of Jordan has been subject to vast development, specifically in the final years of the twentieth century. Jordan is a semi-arid country located in the Middle East. Its location has great significance to Christians, Muslims and Jews as it is considered part of the Holy Land.
The traditional architecture in Jordan can be attributed to many factors, which have played a pivotal role in shaping Jordanian culture. These factors include the different groups of people who have lived in the land, the mostly arid desert climate and the terrain, which is dominated by the Jordan River Valley, the Dead Sea, and the Jordanian Highlands. As a result of increased urbanisation and an open approach to global architectural trends, Jordanian architecture began to neutralise the traditional forms of architecture that dominated the region.
Evidence of inhabitancy in Jordan can be dated back to the Palaeolithic period. The diversity of style of Jordanian architecture such as temples, castles and mosques can be credited to the wide-ranging cultures that have resided in the land. They include the three kingdoms; Edom, Moab and Ammon, as well as the Roman Empire, Nabataea Kingdom and the Ottoman Empire. As there were no qualified Jordanian architects in this time period, the buildings were constructed by local builders or Arabs from neighbouring countries such as Syria and Palestine.
The architecture of Petra is the most recognisable from Jordan due to its popularity among tourists. Petra was a city that was at the centre of trade between the Middle East and the Roman Empire. It was a city of ingenuity and wealth. The original settlements in Petra were constructed of rough stones and clay. The designs were simple and were likely used for travellers to store items. Once the population in Petra began to grow, the infrastructure such as tombs and monuments incorporated the designs of their trading partners. Their architectural style was Nabataean, incorporating the influences of Assyrian, Egyptian, Greek and Roman civilisations. The rock-cut facades are the most iconic monuments in Petra.
Workers used four main stone working tools when constructing the monuments. A pick-axe, a pointed chisel to smooth over rough cuts, a toothed chisel to create the parallel lines and a flat chisel for smoothing and dressing the cut stone. Plaster was often used when mistakes were made on the rock face to glue new pieces of rock. The mason would cut the mistake from the monument and replace it.
The Treasury or Al-Khazneh is a monument carved out of the sandstone rock face in Petra. It was carved during the reign of the Nabataean King Aretas IV Philopatris at the start of the 1st century AD. It stands at 80 feet wide and 127 feet tall.
Using only iron chisels and hammers, it was constructed from top down. On the upper level, the rock face is decorated with Amazons and Victories, in the centre a female figure stands on the tholos (a circular building). Ornate Corinthian columns support the various structures. The entrance is guarded by the statues of the twins Castor and Pollux, figures in Greek and Roman mythology. These sculptures link the decoration to Hellenistic themes. Over time, these intricate details have eroded. The entrance leads to three separate chambers. Whilst the exterior of the building is intricate, the interior is reasonably plain without any ornate designs.
An example of one of the tombs located in Petra is the Monastery or Ad Deir. It is believed that this tomb was completed in the mid-first century as a dedication to King Obodas III. The building stands at 50m high and 45m tall. It’s simple Doric friezes made up of alternating circular metopes and triglyphs.