Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 30, 2025

Experimental Manipulation of Body Size to Estimate Morphological Scaling Relationships in Drosophila
Published on: October 1, 2011
The oldest plans to scale of humanmade mega-structures
Rémy Crassard1, Wael Abu-Azizeh1,2, Olivier Barge1
1CNRS, Archéorient, UMR 5133, Maison de l'Orient et de la Méditerranée, Université Lyon 2, Lyon, France.
The oldest realistic stone engravings reveal ancient Stone Age
Area of Science:
- Archaeology
- Paleoanthropology
- Cognitive Archaeology
Background:
- Limited data exists on Stone Age architectural concepts.
- Previous representations of structures were schematic and lacked accuracy.
Observation:
- Exceptional discovery of the oldest realistic engraved stone plans.
- Engravings from Jordan and Saudi Arabia depict 'desert kites', ancient mega-traps.
- Dated to at least 9,000 years ago, these are the oldest known realistic plans.
Findings:
- Remarkable precision in engraving gigantic Neolithic stone structures.
- Depicts complex designs only fully perceivable from aerial views or by architects.
- Demonstrates a high level of spatial perception and planning in early human societies.
Implications:
- Challenges previous understandings of early human cognitive abilities.
- Sheds light on the evolution of spatial reasoning, communication, and communal activities.
- Provides unprecedented insight into the architectural and planning capabilities of Neolithic communities.
More Related Videos
09:44Use of Principal Components for Scaling Up Topographic Models to Map Soil Redistribution and Soil Organic Carbon
Published on: October 16, 2018
06:55Kinematic History of a Salient-recess Junction Explored through a Combined Approach of Field Data and Analog Sandbox Modeling
Published on: August 5, 2016
Related Concept Videos
Design Example: Creating a Hydraulic Model of a Dam Spillway
Effects of Creep
Design Example: Analyzing Capacity Contours for Flood Risk Assessment
Design Example: Dimensioning of Concrete Masonry Construction
The site engineer has laid out a plan for the storeroom with external dimensions of twelve feet in length and...
Design Example: Maintaining Level of an Embankment
Spanning Openings in Brick Walls
Lintels are primary supports used to span openings and can be crafted from materials such as reinforced concrete, steel-reinforced brick masonry, or simple steel angles. These are straightforward to install and are typically concealed...