Much of the way the UK looks today is shaped by the historical civilisations that came before us. It’s not just in the overall layout of our cities and towns, either; it goes right down into our homes too. The influence can be seen in the materials that are used and in the architectural styles that are favoured. The most significant contributions came from the Roman times, but we can also see influences from Egypt, whose contributions continue to inspire designers to this day. With that in mind, let’s dive in and see what makes even the most high-end home several thousand years in the making.
Roman design in the home
The Romans arrived in Britain 2000 years ago, and their influence lives on in many aspects of live in the country today. Crucially, Romans introduced concrete to the country, and this groundwork has quite literally laid the foundations for our modern homes.
Grant Smith/Avalon/Avalon
The Romans also introduced the first form of underfloor heating seen in the UK. It wasn’t replicated immediately, but now many homes have implemented this as a cost-effective way to heat their homes. Even the use of brick and tile, common features in the average British home, was initially popularised by the Ancient Romans. You don’t even have to look at particularly recent examples, as Roman design infiltrated many of the Georgian and Victorian houses that arose a couple hundred years ago.
The design of ancient Egypt
Though far from being neighbours with Egypt, nor have we ever been conquered by the Egyptians, we can still see the influence of Egypt on culture and entertainment in the country. Death on the Nile, written by Agatha Christie, was turned into a popular movie, and in the iGaming sector we can see influence from Ancient Egypt too. For example, Jackpot City Casino, which offers a range of games like casino jackpot, live casinos, and bingo games also bring us Slingo Cleopatra. Games like these bring together the worlds of bingo and Egypt with features like mummies and the Sphinx.
Egypt’s most powerful influence on Europe can be traced back to the 1800s following Napoleon’s campaign in the Middle East and to the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in the 1920s. Nowadays, Egyptian motifs can be seen in the decoration of many homes, such as stylised patterned wallpapers and columns. Furthermore, in some gardens, features like obelisks are nods to Egyptian design. What’s more, Ancient Egyptians were also among the first to master cooling techniques using thick walls and meticulous placement of windows to reduce heat loss.
Other ancient influences
Beyond Rome and Egypt, the Vikings were primary contributors to many enduring aspects of life in the UK. They were among the first to use wood as a primary construction material, which then became associated with medieval England. It is also said that their longhouses inspired open-plan living. The Celts too had an influence on today’s eco-friendly houses, with their thatched roofs and circular designs.
IMAGO/Zoonar.com/Mick House / Avalon
So, we can always thank these ancient civilisations for plenty of aspects of modern society, and the way houses are built today owes much to their ingenuity. From Roman emphasis on engineering to Egyptian style and sustainable design, and beyond, the legacy of these cultures lives on in the UK.
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