Construction is one of the defining trades of human-kind. Over thousands of years, we have grown from nomadic people to city-dwellers and innovators. These developments are, in no small part, down to our prowess in construction. Over the years, the buildings we have created have become cornerstones for the rest of our lives and society.
Without forward-thinking construction projects, our culture, science and social cohesion would look significantly different from how it looks today. Whether buildings were erected as monuments to gods or for practical reasons - like public baths or political buildings - they have shaped the way we live. Today, buildings are bigger, more technical, safer and more impressive. However, many construction projects from over the years have proven to be more significant. Here, we take a look at eight of the most important and impressive construction projects in history. StonehengeStonehenge is one of the most famous prehistoric monuments in the world, let alone Britain! The monument is shrouded in mystery, however, archaeologists believe that is was built around 5,000 years ago - many thousands of years before recorded history in the UK. No one is quite sure why the stones were built. Some believe that it was built as a temple for the druids and others believe that it was meant as a prehistoric calendar. Modern-day druids still travel to Stonehenge as a pilgrimage destination today. This monument is so impressive because each stone weighs up to four tons. For a prehistoric society with little in the way of lifting technology, moving these stones would have been a mammoth task. The presumption is that these stones were lifted and carried using ropes and sledges. The rocks were quarried from Pembrokeshire in Wales, meaning they were carried 180 miles to their destination! The ColosseumRome’s most famous historic site is almost certainly the Colosseum. This structure was built in celebration of military victories and could host tens of thousands of spectators for gladiatorial games and ceremonies. Construction of this gargantuan building commenced around 70 AD and took around a decade to build. The very first games commenced around 81 AD, with thousands of animals being slaughtered during the inaugural game. These games were a show of power from prominent families and were very popular amongst Roman citizens. Although the Colosseum is nearly 2,000 years old, it remains a very popular tourist attraction and still stands today. The Great Pyramid of GizaIt’s impossible to talk or even think about the Ancient Egyptians without a mention of the Great Pyramid of Giza. This astonishing structure remained the tallest building on Earth for 3,800 years until the construction of Lincoln Cathedral in 1311. The Pyramid is located just outside of Cairo and is the only remaining structure from the Seven Wonders of The Ancient World. The structure was built across 20 years, between 2560 BC and 2540 BC. Most archaeologists believe that this pyramid was built as a burial ground for the Pharaohs who ruled Ancient Egypt. One of the most impressive feats of the engineering of the Great Pyramid of Giza is how geometrically accurate it is. Although the construction techniques during this period were rudimentary, the structure is mathematically precise. The ParthenonLocated in Athens, and one of Greece’s most famous landmarks, The Parthenon was a tribute to the Greek goddess Athena. Built during the 5th century BC on the Acropolis Hill, The Parthenon has become an iconic piece of Ancient Greek architecture. Much of Rome’s own architecture owes a lot to Greece’s Parthenon. Considering that much of the population of the world were still existing as nomads during the period of The Parthenon’s construction, this feat is astonishing. The building serves as a reminder of the ingenuity of humankind. The Great Wall of ChinaStretching across China for more than 5,000 miles, The Great Wall of China is truly one of the most impressive structures ever conceived or built. The Great Wall remains one of the most iconic landmarks in the world, with the construction taking centuries to complete. The initial construction started 2,000 years ago and was still being built throughout the 16th century. Some people believe that as many as 3 million people lost their lives during the construction of this great monument. The wall was built as a fortification against invasion from Mongolians, but it was also a show of the strength of China during that period. Even today, no other building has matched the Great Wall of China in length. PetraPetra is a world-famous archaeological site located in Jordan’s southwestern desert. It’s the nation’s most-visited tourist destination and for good reason. This beautiful site is an ancient city built into a rock-face. The facade of Petra is 100 feet wide and more than 141 feet high and was constructed in the 4th century BC by an ancient Arabian civilization known as the Nabataeans. Only around 15% of Petra has currently been explored and discovered, so there’s still a huge amount to see. It’s known that there are around 800 tombs located throughout the ‘Lost City’ and that there was a water system built into the city which could have supported around 30,000 to 50,000 inhabitants. York CathedralYork Cathedral is one of the most famous medieval cathedrals in the UK and across the world. Taking more than 250 years to build, the structure is North Europe’s largest gothic cathedral, looming over the city of York. Even before the construction of York Cathedral, the location of the site had great significance. During the Roman Empire, York had been a crucial stronghold for the empire. It’s believed that, during that time, a Roman basilica was erected where the cathedral now stands. York cathedral is more than 520 feet in length, 249 feet in width and 88.5 feet high. Panama CanalThe Panama Canal is, undoubtedly, one of the most impressive feats of engineering and construction in human history. The canal connects the pacific and Atlantic oceans across 48 miles which plays an essential role in global maritime trade. Construction of this canal started more than 100 years ago and was completed in around 1914. This canal allowed ships travel between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans far more safely and in more than half of the time. Rather than having to travel south below the tip of Argentina, ships could go straight through the canal. This canal saves literally thousands of miles worth of travel for maritime traders. The Panama Canal has subsequently been named as one of the Seven Wonders of The Modern World. Rodells: Commercial Scaffolding For Your Next Construction ProjectHere at Rodells Ltd, we’re experts when it comes to commercial scaffolding and lighting protection for construction projects. With over one hundred years of experience under our belts, we’re able to provide professional service regardless of the project you require. Originally operating as a steeple-jacking organisation, we’ve expanded into a wide range of disciplines. However, we remain able to provide steeple-jacking services to a number of our clients. Our large scaffold department allows us to work on projects for any domestic, commercial or industrial building. As a business, we always endeavour to provide the very best service for all of our clients. All of our highly trained in health and safety so you can rest assured your project will be completed safely. We have a long-standing reputation for providing excellent services to every customer and would love to hear from you to see how we can help your business. To find out more about our services, please feel free to contact us today. You can find us at Cell Barnes House, Cell Barnes Lane, St Albans, Herts, AL1 5AS. Alternatively, call us on 01727 841855 or email us at [email protected].
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