Prehistory

 In class this week, we learned all about prehistoric structures. Homes during that time period were semi-permanent and consisted of three main structures: cliff dwellings, mud and thatch, and stone.

The Lascaux caves date back all the way to 17,000 BCE. They were a network of caves that contained over 6,000 figures. 

 

Menhirs and Dolmens were constructed during the Neolithic period. The monuments were constructed out of giant stones and placed in upright positions. Dolmens were a type of "post-and-lintel," which means they were made up of two or more upright stones with one stone lying across them. 

 

Residential homes were made out of mud and brick, with little spaces used for light and circulation. The fireplace was usually in the center of the home.

Skara Brae was a Neolithic village in Scotland. It consisted of ten curvilinear homes that were built out of stone without mortar. The homes contained stone hearths, beds, and cupboards. Their ancient sewer systems consisted of toilets and drains that cleared away waste into the ocean.

Catal Huyuk is a very large Neolithic and Chalcolithic proto-city settlement in Anatolia, Turkey. It stood between 7500 BC and 6400 BC. From the remaining residences, it was discovered that they had advanced systems that eliminated waste into the ocean through their sewer systems. 

Cahokia Mounds were considered the largest and most complex archeological site located in St. Clair county in South-Western Illinois.