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.
Abstract:
Data on how Stone Age communities conceived domestic and utilitarian structures are limited to a few examples of schematic and non-accurate representations of various-sized built spaces. Here, we report the exceptional discovery of the up-to-now oldest realistic plans that have been engraved on stones. These engravings from Jordan and Saudi Arabia depict 'desert kites', humanmade archaeological mega-traps that are dated to at least 9,000 years ago for the oldest. The extreme precision of these engravings is remarkable, representing gigantic neighboring Neolithic stone structures, the whole design of which is impossible to grasp without seeing it from the air or without being their architect (or user, or builder). They reveal a widely underestimated mental mastery of space perception, hitherto never observed at this level of accuracy in such an early context. These representations shed new light on the evolution of human discernment of space, communication, and communal activities in ancient times.
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...