Early Right-Angled Architecture Discovered in Ancient Near East!
Traditional theories about the origins of architecture in the Near East have been upended by a groundbreaking study. This research reveals that advanced building techniques and diverse architectural styles appeared much earlier than previously believed—dating back to the Natufian period, some 15,000 to 8,500 years ago.
Photo Credit: Naftali Hilger
The Rise of Advanced Architecture in the Stone Age
Aerial photographs of sites like Nahal Ein Gev II highlight the variety of architectural forms that emerged during the Natufian period. These findings come courtesy of a team of researchers—Hadas Goldgeier, Dr. Antoine Muller, and Professor Leore Grosman—at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Their innovative use of computational analysis has unearthed a far more intricate architectural history than was previously understood.
Historically, early Near Eastern architecture was thought to follow a simple evolutionary path, moving from circular to rectangular structures during the Neolithic period. However, this linear view was largely based on qualitative methods, which often overlooked the nuances of historical developments. The new study, published in Archaeological Research in Asia, takes a digital approach, analysing the two-dimensional designs of nearly 120 structures from 23 archaeological sites across the Mediterranean and Jordan Valley.
Photo Credit: Naftali Hilger
Breaking the "Round to Rectangular" Narrative
Using advanced computational tools, such as vector directionality and angle quantification, the researchers discovered a surprising level of variability in early architectural designs. Right-angled structures, once thought to be a hallmark of later Neolithic periods, were identified as far back as the Natufian period. This overturns the long-held idea of a straightforward progression in architectural style.
“There’s considerably more variability than can be subsumed in the traditional ‘round to rectangular’ scheme of architectural development,” the authors of the study observed.
The research suggests that significant advances in building technology occurred much earlier than previously assumed. This period, marked by the rise of permanent settlements and agricultural economies, lacked the standardised building practices of later Neolithic societies. Instead, the architecture reflected a dynamic phase of experimentation and innovation.
Photo Credit: Naftali Hilger
Experimentation and Innovation in Early Settlements
During the Natufian and early Neolithic periods, structures exhibited remarkable diversity in form and design. As communities became more settled and agricultural practices took hold, architectural styles began to standardise. This shift likely coincided with changes in social organisation, population dynamics, and economic strategies, signalling the early stages of codified construction practices.
A New Lens for Understanding History
The researchers emphasised the importance of modern analytical tools in archaeology, noting that traditional qualitative methods often miss critical details. “Our computational methodology offers a repeatable and objective lens to analyse architectural history,” they explained.
By digitising and examining ancient structures, the study sheds light on the social and technological transformations that defined early human civilisation. It demonstrates that architecture in the Stone Age was not just a practical necessity but also a medium for cultural and technological innovation.
This research invites us to rethink humanity’s architectural origins, offering fresh insights into the ingenuity and adaptability of early societies in the Levant.