page_title: Outline of architecture
section_title: History of architecture
hierarchical_section_title: Outline of architecture / History of architecture
caption_attribution_description: Deutsch: Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. Gesehen von Norden, von der Terrasse des AND Hotel English: Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. Seen from north, from the terrace of the AND Hotel
context_page_description: Architecture – the process and the product of designing and constructing buildings. Architectural works with a certain indefinable combination of design quality and external circumstances may become cultural symbols and / or be considered works of art.
context_section_description: Neolithic architecture – architecture of the last part of the Stone Age, and of the people of the Americas and the Pacific up until the time of European contact.
  Ancient Egyptian architecture – architecture of ancient Egypt, which developed a vast array of diverse structures and great architectural monuments along the Nile, among the largest and most famous of which are the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Great Sphinx of Giza.
  Achaemenid architecture – the architectural achievements of the Achaemenid Persians manifesting in construction of complex cities (Perspepolis, Susa, Ecbatana), temples made for worship and social gatherings (such as Zoroastrian temples), and mausoleums erected in honor of fallen kings (such as the burial tomb of Cyrus the Great).
  Armenian architecture – an architectural style developed over the last 4,500 years of human habitation in the Armenian Highland (the eastern part of Asia Minor) and used principally by the Armenian people.
  Coptic architecture – the architecture of the Copts, who form the majority of Christians in Egypt.
  Dravidian architecture – a style of architecture thousands of years ago in the Southern part of the Indian subcontinent or South India, built by the Dravidian peoples.
  Maya architecture – the structures of the Maya civilization, which was established circa 2000 BC and continued until its conquest by the Spanish (in the 16th and 17th centuries).  Some of its notable constructions include ceremonial platforms, palaces, E-Groups, pyramids, temples, observatories, and ballcourts.
  Sumerian architecture – the ancient architecture of the region of the Tigris–Euphrates river system (also known as Mesopotamia).
  Ancient Greek architecture – the architecture of ancient Greece, where the classical orders were developed, establishing a precedent for the subsequent development of classical architecture.
  Ancient Roman architecture – adopted the principles of ancient Greek architecture and developed both new decorative forms, and much more complex building forms, notably adopting the use of arches and vaults.
  Buddhist architecture – developed by the worshipers of Buddha in South Asia in the 3rd century BCE, and associated with three types of structures: monasteries (viharas), stupas, and temples (Chaitya grihas).
  Inca architecture –  the pre-Columbian architecture of the Incas in South America, known particularly for its exceptionally precise masonry.
  Sassanid architecture – the Persian architectural style that reached a peak in its development during the Sassanid era.
  Mesoamerican architecture – the set of architectural traditions produced by pre-Columbian cultures and civilizations of Mesoamerica, best known in the form of public, ceremonial and urban monumental buildings and structures.
  Byzantine architecture – the architecture of the Byzantine Empire.
  Islamic architecture –  encompasses a wide range of both secular and religious styles from the foundation of Islam to the present day, influencing the design and construction of buildings and structures in Islamic culture.
  Newa architecture – style of architecture used by the Newari people in the Kathmandu valley in Nepal, ranging from stupas and chaitya monastery buildings to courtyard structures and distinctive houses.
  Medieval architecture – a term used to represent various forms of architecture common in Medieval Europe.
  Romanesque architecture – an architectural style of Medieval Europe characterized by semi-circular arches.
  Gothic architecture – a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period.
  Iranian architecture –  or Persian architecture is the historic architecture of Iran (Persia).
  Hoysala architecture – building style developed under the rule of the Hoysala Empire between the 11th and 14th centuries, in the region known today as Karnataka, a state of India.
  Vijayanagara Architecture – primarily a temple style found in Vijayanagara principality in India.
  Ottoman architecture –  or Turkish architecture is the architecture of the Ottoman Empire which emerged in Bursa and Edirne in 14th and 15th cen
caption: The Hagia Sophia, dating from 532AD, is one of the most famous examples of Byzantine architecture.
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