Architects of Ancient Arabia: Alula
Posted on 05/26/2021 9:12:39 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
Come along with an international team of researchers as they unlock an ancient paradox in the desert oasis of Alula.
Follow their journey – from legendary heritage sites such as Alula Old Town to mysterious mustatils – in the Discovery Channel Documentary Architects of Ancient Arabia.
(Excerpt) Read more at youtube.com ...
The whole concept of “ancient architects” is interesting. How were they trained? Were there schools of architecture? Or was it purely apprentice / master training?
Mathematics and structural engineering were not very evolved at the time - how were they used? What did the architects use for drafting? It’s not like you could go to the local store and buy vellum, drafting tools, pencils and lead? How did they get something as simple as a straight-edge? Paper was in its infancy; did they use parchment or papyrus? What happened to all the architects’ drawings and plans? Were the drawings reproduced for the builders to use? Did the architects make a lot of conceptual sketches for their clients (probably the king)?
There were no real standards of measure. What units did they use? How did they measure long distances?
How did the masons lay out straight lines? Did they use taut string like is used today? How was small gauge string made in long lengths for such distances?
Have these and many other questions been explored?
It’s a puff piece for the Kdm’s Alula project, but isn’t it nice to see people spending time on this instead of flight lessons and storming Grand Mosques and such?
Yes...until they build a building sideways to the direction of Mecca or one that “insults” the “prophet” somehow!
Spoiler alert, they did not use drawings.
Thank you
Al Ula is positively modern compared to the pyramids.
Hegra is dated to 300 BC circa. The pyramids are 2000 years older.
For straight lines the pyramid builder used a simple string and holder technique. And they had standardised units of measure.
Just like Nazca, they are billboards.:)
soo.. basically ancient humans living in what is now a desert but then we pasture land, stacked up rocks in rectangles to use as animal cattle pens.
I guess I am suppose to be impressed.
I would love it if they expanded the concept to other ages.
Of course a 30 some year project is a big undertaking and costly.
I was looking at the video and all the people on site. It looked VERY expensive to me, even if they are all volunteers. It’s nard to imagine so many nobles had the money and there was so much skilled manpower around in the 12th and 13th centuries to build those castles.
Of course, those minor castles and large estates were nothing compared to the Catholic cathedral building going on at the time.
You were talking about pre-black death and pre-great famine when Europe had a large population.
You could also use under age labor and you could work both people and animals more hours per day.
Not to mention these people would have been accustomed to this type of work to the point it would be second nature. And no tourists to have to stop and explain things to. :)
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