the architecture and engineering of the ancients was very very impressive. they addressed and solved many of the same problems we do today. and they figured out how to do it without much of the technology that is available to us today. people have been very very intelligent for a long time.

one of my favorite facts is to consider the cathedrals that were built in france and germany from around 1000 to around 1350. they built spaces that had well over 400 feet high worship areas (naves). they built without the use of steel structures. it was all built by stacking very accurately cut stones one on top of the other. now just consider for a moment that they had to also build scaffolds and cranes to lift the stones into place. and realize that the scaffolding had to be built from wood (most likely). now we are talking of 400 feet in height. that is about 28 stories high. just think for a moment how you would build a wooden scaffold and crane to lift stones weighing hundreds of pounds up that high.

people have been very, very smart for a long, time.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.