How Were These 4 Iconic Ancient Stone Structures Built by Early Civilizations?

The engineering marvels behind ancient structures like the Great Sphinx and Parthenon reveal the ingenuity and techniques used by early civilizations.

By Sara Novak
Aug 22, 2024 6:00 PM
Parthenon
(Credit: Huseyin Eren Obuz/Shutterstock)

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There was a time when giant cranes did not dot the city skyline and when bulldozers, backhoes, and excavators did not yet exist. But even before these pieces of seemingly critical technology were invented, we had palatial estates, temples, churches, pyramids, and the like, all of which were built with none other than human ingenuity.

But how were these mega-structures of yesteryear built? Let’s take a closer look. 

1. The Great Sphinx of Giza

(Credit: gumbao/Shutterstock)

The Great Sphinx of Giza is one of the most iconic statues in the world. It likely dates back to the reign of Khafre between 2558 and 2532 B.C.E., and it was constructed from a large block of limestone on site, meaning no equipment was needed to hull in from somewhere else.

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