Deck 1: The Beginnings of Architecture

Question 1

The orientation of the passageway at Newgrange seems to have been based on:

A) ancient pathways.
B) the direction of sunlight on the winter solstice.
C) an understanding of true north.
D) the relationship of the site to Stonehenge.
E) None of the answers is correct.

Answer 1

the direction of sunlight on the winter solstice.

Question 2

The principal building material for Mesopotamian ziggurats was:

A) white marble.
B) sun-dried brick.
C) tamped earth.
D) sandstone.
E) granite.

Answer 2

sun-dried brick.

Question 3

A trilithon at Stonehenge consists of:

A) three coffin-sized stone slabs used as an altar.
B) a vertical sighting stone and two horizontal stones.
C) two upright stones capped by a lintel.
D) three concentric rings of ditches.
E) None of the answers is correct.

Answer 3

two upright stones capped by a lintel.

Question 4

The most common Mesopotamian house type:

A) made use of a cella.
B) was built from glazed brick.
C) was based on a Persian house.
D) had a courtyard at its core.
E) made use of a cella and was built from glazed brick.

Question 5

All of the following civilizations operated in Mesopotamia EXCEPT the:

A) Sumerian civilization.
B) Achaean civilization.
C) Babylonian civilization.
D) Hittite civilization.
E) Assyrian civilization.

Question 6

At Persepolis, the Persians borrowed from Egyptian artistic traditions by using:

A) an obelisk.
B) a hypostyle hall.
C) a megaron.
D) a trilithon.
E) None of the answers is correct.

Question 7

Serdabs were small chambers for spirit offerings in:

A) mastabas.
B) pyramids.
C) the Sphinx.
D) Persia.
E) None of the answers is correct.

Question 8

Ancient Egyptian architecture is characterized by the use of obelisks, which refer to:

A) unique double-headed capitals carved in the form of bulls and lions.
B) stone columns that support wooden roof beams.
C) sculpted animal motifs.
D) small terracotta cones.
E) pyramid shapes at the top of stone shafts.

Question 9

The Djoser pyramid was unique in the Old Kingdom in that it was:

A) extremely steeply pitched.
B) covered with glazed brick.
C) located on an island.
D) double-sloped.
E) None of the answers is correct.

Question 10

The trio of large pyramids at Giza are the work of:

A) Mentuhotep, Khufu, and Khafra.
B) Cheops, Chepren, and Hatshepsut.
C) Cheops, Chepren, and Djoser.
D) Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure.
E) Mentuhotep, Hatshepsut, and Djoser.

Question 11

The pyramid complex in Giza, Egypt, included:

A) a valley temple.
B) a causeway to the valley temple.
C) a mortuary temple.
D) a causeway to the mortuary temple.
E) All of the answers are correct.

Question 12

Middle Kingdom tombs at Dier-el-Bahari include that of:

A) Mentuhotep II.
B) Queen Hatshepsut.
C) Beni-Hasan.
D) King Djoser.
E) Thutmose II.

Question 13

The dominant elements at Queen Hatshepsut's temple are:

A) pylon gates.
B) colonnades.
C) pyramids.
D) obelisks.
E) None of the answers is correct.

Question 14

Hypostyle halls were lit by:

A) skylights.
B) colonnades.
C) courtyards.
D) clerestory windows.
E) All of the answers are correct.

Question 15

Which of the following is true about the funerary complex of Queen Hatshepsut?

A) The overall design was doubtless inspired by the trio of large pyramids in Giza.
B) The façades of the temple were articulated by buttressing pilasters.
C) Unique double-headed capitals carved in the form of bulls and lions were present in the temple.
D) Mud-brick walls and a post-and-lintel timber framework enclosed rectangular spaces in the complex.
E) The overall design of the complex was inspired by the neighboring temple of Mentuhotep.

Question 16

Which of the following statements is true of the Acropolis in Tepe Gawra, Sumer (Iraq)?

A) Its major buildings formed a B-shaped closed court.
B) The building was erected in a valley and it reflected its insignificance to the society.
C) The façades of its courts were articulated by buttressing pilasters.
D) Its walls were made of red granite and surrounded by obelisks.
E) There were massive columns and obelisks on the path leading to the building.

Question 17

In the context of the architecture in ancient Egypt, monumental masonry entrance gates or ________ lined processional routes to represent the eastern mountains of Egypt through which the divine early-morning sunlight emanated.

A) pylons
B) obelisks
C) trilithons
D) colonnades
E) pilasters

Question 18

The Great Temple of Amun was built by:

A) the Ptolemies.
B) the followers of Khafre.
C) captive Hebrews.
D) multiple pharaohs.
E) None of the answers is correct.

Question 19

The White Temple of Uruk was called so because its exterior was:

A) covered with white marble.
B) dedicated to the white river god.
C) whitewashed.
D) surrounded by white sand.
E) None of the answers is correct.

Question 20

Access to the ziggurat at Ur was made possible by:

A) a flight of stairs.
B) multiple ramps.
C) a single bridge.
D) an armada of boats.
E) None of the answers is correct.

Question 21

The palace at Khorsabad was organized by means of:

A) courts.
B) axes.
C) sequential gateways.
D) terraces.
E) All of the answers are correct.

Question 22

The two B-shaped stone blocks in Djoser's complex were implements for his:

A) ceremonial race.
B) sacrifice of ceremonial animals.
C) wedding ceremony.
D) priests to use in locating the planet Venus.
E) All of the answers are correct.

Question 23

The outer layer of Egyptian pyramids was typically made of:

A) basalt.
B) granite.
C) sandstone.
D) dolerite.
E) None of the answers is correct.

Question 24

Compare and contrast the planning and construction of Stonehenge and the Newgrange passage grave in County Meath, Ireland.

Question 25

The ancient Egyptians saw life as a journey, somewhat like a trip down the Nile. As a metaphor for this journey, they created sequential architectural experiences. Discuss the sequences found in a pyramid complex or the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut or the Great Temple of Amun.

Question 26

Compare the construction materials and methods employed at an Egyptian pyramid to those at a Mesopotamian ziggurat.