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Tympanum (architecture)
 
 
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A tympanum (plural, tympana) is the semi-circular or triangular decorative wall surface over an entrance bounded by a lintel
Lintel

A lintel or header is a horizontal Beam used in the construction of buildings, and is a major architectural contribution of ancient Greece....
 and arch
Arch

An arch is a structure that Span a space while supporting weight . Arches appeared as early as the 2nd millennium BC in Mesopotamian brick architecture, but their systematic use started with the Ancient Rome who were the first to apply the technique to a wide range of structures....
. It often contains sculptures or other ornaments. Most architectural styles include this element.






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A tympanum (plural, tympana) is the semi-circular or triangular decorative wall surface over an entrance bounded by a lintel
Lintel

A lintel or header is a horizontal Beam used in the construction of buildings, and is a major architectural contribution of ancient Greece....
 and arch
Arch

An arch is a structure that Span a space while supporting weight . Arches appeared as early as the 2nd millennium BC in Mesopotamian brick architecture, but their systematic use started with the Ancient Rome who were the first to apply the technique to a wide range of structures....
. It often contains sculptures or other ornaments. Most architectural styles include this element. The tympanum was invented in ancient Egypt
Ancient Egypt

Ancient Egypt was an Ancient history civilization in eastern North Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile in what is now the modern nation of Egypt....
 in the first half of the 3rd century BC, and later appears in Greek, Christian
Christian architecture

Church Architecture from 1180C.E to 1700C.E Since before the 4th century C.E., Christianity have come together to worship in a building dedicated to that purpose....
 and Islamic architecture
Islamic architecture

Islamic architecture encompasses a wide range of both secular and religious styles from the History of Islam to the present day, influencing the design and construction of buildings and structures in Islamic culture....
. In Greek and Christian architecture, tympanums usually contained religious scenes.

Bands of molding surrounding the tympanum are referred to as the archivolt
Archivolt

An archivolt is an ornamental molding or band following the curve of the underside of an arch. It is composed of bands of ornamental Molding s surrounding an arched opening, corresponding to the architrave in the case of a rectangular opening....
.

Gallery



See also

  • Gable
    Gable

    A gable is the generally triangular portion of a wall between the edges of a sloping roof. The shape of the gable and how it is detailed depends on the structural system being used and aesthetic concerns....
  • Portal
    Portal (architecture)

    Portal is a general term describing an opening in the walls of a building, gate or fortification, and especially a grand entrance to an important structure....


External links

  • Visigothic, Mozarabe and Romanesque art in Spain.