The seventy wonders of the ancient world : the great monuments and how they were built

How were the ancient wonders of the world built? How many people did it take to build the Great Wall of China and the Sphinx at Giza? This text seeks to answer such questions, examining these spectacular feats of engineering and celebrating the achievements of the builders who worked without the aid of modern technology. Expanding on the theme of the traditional Seven Wonders, the book broadens the scope to incorporate marvels from around the globe, spanning the centuries from the first standing stones of the fifth millennium BC to the Great Temple of the Aztecs in the 16th century AD. The raising of the stones at Stonehenge, the erection of Egyptian obelisks, the building of Roman roads and the laying out of the Nazca Lines on the face of the Peruvian Desert are all described and explained in the light of archaeological research. The text also features factfiles, diagrams, photographs and perspective views.

Abu Simbel, Angkor Wat, Petra: today we stand in awe before the great monuments of the past as we wonder who built them and for what purpose. This authoritative and profusely illustrated compendium celebrates the achievements of those ancient builders who created huge and impressive structures without the benefit of modern technology. Expanding upon the theme of the traditional Seven Wonders, The Seventy Wonders of the Ancient World incorporates marvels from around the globe, spanning the centuries from the first stone monuments of the fifth millennium b.c. to the Great Temple of the Aztecs in the sixteenth century a.d. The shaping of the Great Sphinx at Giza, the raising of the stones at Stonehenge, the laying out of the Nazca Lines on the face of the Peruvian desert, or the construction of the Great Wall of China (probably the greatest building project ever attempted in ancient times) are all described and explained in light of the most up-to-date archaeological research. So too are the erection of Egyptian obelisks and Easter Island statues, and the building of Roman roads and Inca bridges. Neglected monuments such as the giant stelae of Aksum or the mountain palace at Sigiriya are set beside the great Baths of Caracalla in Rome and the palace of Persepolis. Packed with factfiles, diagrams, photographs, and newly commissioned perspective views, The Seventy Wonders of the Ancient World provides a testament to the skill of the ancient engineers and architects who created lasting memorials--some for practical ends, others for prestige and propaganda--that have continued to impress successive generations through the ages.
Robin Coningham
Janet DeLaine
Susan Evans
Brian Fagan
Timothy Insoll
Simon Kaner
Claire Loader
Ann Paludan
David Phillipson
Julian Reade
Kate Spence
Nigel Spivey
Adriana von Hagen
David Webster
Roger Wilson

Denver Post - Glenn Giffin

This book is great fun, informative and a challenge to the imagination.

Expanding on the theme of the traditional Seven Wonders, this book incorporates marvels from around the globe spanning the centuries from the first standing stones of the fifth millennium B.C. to the Great Temple of the Aztecs in the sixteenth century A.D. providing a testament to the skill of the ancient architects and engineers who created Full coverage from the first stone monuments in the fifth millennium B.C. to the Great Temple of the Aztecs in the sixteenth century A.D. with fascinating insights into the technological skills of our ancestors A survey of the world's great ancient wonders from the Great Temple of the Aztecs, to the Nazca lines of Peru, including answers to how the architecture was created and for what purpose.