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Sunlight and time, colour and space in the ancient history of mankind

Sunlight and time, colour and space in the ancient history of mankind. Richard Kittler and Stanislav Darula Institute of Construction and Architecture SAS Bratislava, Slovakia. Phylogeny. – evolution of living organisms through the ages while adapting to their environment.

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Sunlight and time, colour and space in the ancient history of mankind

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  1. Sunlight and time, colour and space in the ancient history of mankind Richard Kittler and Stanislav Darula Institute of Construction and Architecture SAS Bratislava, Slovakia

  2. Phylogeny – evolution of living organisms through the ages while adapting to their environment Evolution of eyes in apes and homonids about 30 – 40 million years ago Inherited qualities stored in DNA sequences are transmitted by cells during endless generations http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNA Gregory, R.L.: Eye and brain. BAS Printers Ltd., Wallop, 1966,

  3. Human eyes Retina structure: Ganglion cells – circadian rythm Rods – scotopic (night) vision Cones – photopic (daytime) vision Space and search human visual field Gregory, R.L.: Eye and brain. BAS Printers Ltd., Wallop, 1966,

  4. Homonid environment • Equatorial climate: • - yearly temperature equlity/comfort • affluence of greenery • equal day and night time 10° N Equator Gore, R.: The first steps. National Geographic, 191 (1997), 2, 72-99 and map.

  5. Sun as an energy source Sun paths at the equator at equinox day In any day sun shadows indicate E – W orientation at the equator but in equinox days at any locality In equator localities the day is halved to equal day and night time

  6. Circadian rythms Photorecepting eye ganglion cells control daily rythms: - stimulating: • -- alertness and human activity • -- body performance (temperature, urine production, adrenaline etc) - influencing: -- tiredness due to production of the sleeping hormon melatonin -- sleeping/waking pattern Stoer, G.W.: Light and health in the workplace. NSVV Netherlands, 2005.

  7. Intensity in W/m2 nm Visible range Visible part Wavelength in nm Solar radiation and sunlight Extraterrestrial sun radiation spectrum contains: • Ultraviolet radiation in three ranges • UV killing bacteria max. at 254 nm, filtered fully by the ozon layer produced by greenery, • UV B (Dorno rays) max. at 275 nm with antirachitic effect in D vitamin production under high sun and clean atmosphere, • UV A max. at 350 nm with erythemal effect on sun tanned skin, Visible radiation with monochromatic colours, Infrared thermal radiation Solar constant in the whole energy spectrum 1367 W.m-2 Luminous solar constant 133.8 klx

  8. Greenery utilises sunlight mostly at 450 and 670 nm for photosynthesis Daytime adaptation Daytime vision is most sensitive at 555 nm, i.e. reflected from greenery Gregory, R.L.: Eye and brain. BAS Printers Ltd., Wallop, 1966, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorophyll

  9. Eyemovements Re-created fossil skull of Australopithecus afarensis Scanning individual environment and space identifying objects: • overall luminance adaptation, visual search, overview with accomodation to distances • saccadic reflexes with detail reading for information clues Jarbus, A.L.: Rol dviženii glaz v procese zrenija (Task of eye movements in visual process). Nauka Moskva, 1965

  10. Human migration – new challenges Route orientation Diverse environment seasonal sunpath reduced solar energy seasonal temperature humidity changes Food availability Shelter protection cave tent building Fire

  11. Venus from mammoth tusk Human activities, knowledge, culture • Tools – sticks, clubs, spears • stones (boulder fit to hand) • bones (needles Venuses) Norvegian reindeer with guts (Kloftefoss) Hunting dangers and spear targets Lastcaux cave, France Jelínek, J.: Veľký obrazový atlas pravekého človeka (Great picture atlas of ancient man. Mladé letá 1980

  12. Conclusions • In spite of civilisation achievements: • sunlight and skylight influence our body functions • - - inherited phylogenetic qualities of human eyes predetermine the time and space orientations • - - daylight mediates visual information and adjustment of individuals to their environment • - - daytime illumination enables activity and creativity • changes in day and night time predetermine • - - everyday circadian rythms of alertness and rest • - - dynamic changes in illuminance levels are training visual adaptation system in men (the eye muscles, pupil and saccadic motion reflexes) • - - variety of sunlight and skylight with directional and colour changes improve sight adaptation and acomodation

  13. Conclusions • space location of the country and urban environment create exterior life conditions • - - longer than 5 million years of hominid phylogeny in equatorial • locality overwhelms recent conditions, e.g. electric lighting • - colour enhancesthe qualityof visual information and overall comfort • - - with better recognition of objects and details • - - with aesthetic emphasis and wellness of interiors

  14. Thanks for Your attention

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