Near East Architecture

Architectural vocabulary

1. ziggurat-a high pyramidal staged tower, of which 2. plinth/dado -1)the lowest square member of the
angles were oriented to the cardinal points, which base of the column; 2) also applied to the projecting
formed an important element stepped or moulded base of any building
In ancient Mesopotamian temple complexes, the
number of stages rose from one to seven in the course
of time, and in the Assyrian version, the stages were
developed into a continuous inclined ramp, circulating
in the four sides

3. relief- sculptural work on walls where the 4. vault-an arched covering in stone or brick over
objects are embossed or protruding from the any building
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5. barrel vault/tunnel vault/ wagonhead 6. aqueduct-a system of water distribution in

 Near East Architecture

vault/wagon vault -a continuous vault of semi- ancient times where water ran along canals above
circular section supported by series of arches and also canals
passing through hills and mountains and below the
ground to the lowest destination- the city

7.corbel vault 8. pendentive-the term applied to to the triangular

curved overhanging surface by means of which a
circular dome is supported over a square or
polygonal compartment

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 Near East Architecture

9. dome- a convex covering, usually semi 10. arch- a structure of wedge-shaped blocks over
hemispherical or semi-elliptical over a circular or an opening, so disposed as to hold together when
polygonal space supported only from the sides

11. voussoirs-truncated wedged –shaped blocks

forming an arch 12. keystone-the central stone of a semi-circular
arch
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13. arcuated- structural system, or building style 14. buttresses-a mss of masonry built against the
 Near East Architecture

of which the principal constructive feature is the wall to resist the pressure of an arch or a vault.
arch

15. façade-the face or elevation of the building

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