One of my greatest passions regarding history is the ability of man (ancient & modern) to move objects of immense size and weight. And the obvious question is:
“How did ancient man cut, quarry, lift, transport, finish & erect stones of large tonnage without modern machinery?”
In an effort to understand what was achieved and when, I created the document below. It is a continual work-in-progress and will be updated regularly as more research occurs. The list is currently sorted by each object’s estimated weight (US short tons).
So, what is considered a megalith? For my purposes, it includes any object over 1 ton, wherein an organized group of humans using specialized techniques would be required – rather than something that one or two individuals could move on their own. Basically, a big stone that causes you to need a team effort.
Ultimately, an article (or more) could be written about most of these items. If life were only that long.
🙂
Featured image – in the public domain
Description: Baalbek – Trilithon & megalithic podium layer below those three 800-ton stones on the western side of the Temple of Jupiter. Note the man standing in the lower right.
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