7 – The Islamic World and Ancient Africa

This is just a simplified guide. The questions are not central to the discussion in this class, but rather basic starting points.

1. Why did science and architecture flourish during the Islamic Golden Age (8th–13th centuries)?
2. What are the main characteristics of traditional Arabic/Islamic architecture?
3. What are the most iconic examples of Islamic architecture?

House of Wisdom, 

Inventions

“The Ink of the Scholars is more precious than the blood of the martyrs” Muhammad.

Islamic World

Architectural elements:

Domes (I, II, ) minarets ( I ) (muezzin), screens ( I ) (mussellina I ) courtyards, arcades, water fountains, gardens, multifoil arches, muqarna (stalactites), calligraphy, arabesques, mosques, horseshoe arches, tiles, water fountains.

Traditional mosque plans

Construction elements: stones, stucco, plaster, tiles ** , Mosaics ** , 

Dome of the Rock, 691.

Mosque / University of Qarawiyyin, Fez, 857. (water clock and Meccano **)

Al-Jazari **

Al-Azhar Mosque / University of Al-Azhar , Cairo, 970. **

La Alhambra **.

Mosque (now cathedral) of Córdoba, 785.

Hagia Sophia

Taj Mahal, 1632-

Ancient Africa

Western Africa (intro ** )

Nubian pyramids (2600BC) ** , Kerma, Sudan (3.500 BC) ** , City of Kerma, Sudan 3500 BC **

Kingdom of Nri  (Nigeria)

1858 View of Timbuktu (Mali Empire in the 13th and 14th centuries):

Great Zimbabwe IX-XV ** , **, 

Great Mosque of Djenné, Malí, 1200 AC **

The Great Mosque of Djenné.