 in architecture, clerestory (; lit. clear storey, also clearstory, clearstorey, or overstorey) are any high windows above eye level. the purpose is to bring outside light, fresh air, or both into the inner space. historically, clerestory denoted an upper level of a roman basilica or of the nave of a romanesque or gothic church, the walls of which rise above the rooflines of the lower aisles and are pierced with windows. similar structures have been used in transportation vehicles to provide additional lighting, ventilation, or headroom. ==history==  ===ancient world=== the technology of the clerestory appears to originate in the temples of ancient egypt. the term "clerestory" is applicable to egyptian temples, where the lighting of the hall of columns was obtained over the stone roofs of the adjoining aisles, through slits pierced in vertical slabs of stone. clerestory appeared in egypt at least as early as the amarna period.gwendolyn leick and francis j. kirk, a dictionary of ancient near eastern architecture, 1988, routledge, 261 pages isbn 0-415-00240-0 in the minoan palaces of crete such as knossos, by contrast, lightwells were employed in addition to clerestories.c. michael hogan, knossos fieldnotes, modern antiquarian (2007) according to biblical accounts, the hebrew temple built by king solomon featured clerestory windows made possible by the use of a tall, angled roof and a central ridgepole. the clerestory was used in the hellenistic architecture of the later periods of ancient greek civilization. the romans applied clerestories to basilicas of justice and to the basilica-like bath-houses and palaces. ===early christian and byzantine basilicas=== early christian churches and some byzantine churches, particularly in italy, are based closely on the roman basilica, and maintained the form of a central nave flanked by lower aisles on each side. the nave and aisles are separated by columns or piers, above which rises a wall pierced by clerestory windows. [[file:malmes
Architectural_elements Church_architecture Energy-saving_lighting Sustainable_building Windows