Anthropology
Related: About this forumThese Structures were carved from the top/down out of a mountain side
Notice the bridge between the two structures? This was carved from a single piece of stone. Imagine the amount of rock that had to be removed
The pillar made from the top down...notice the tiny humans as a reference to size in the photo.
?itok=XAH9yqmY
Top down....let that sink in the amount of planning and design needed to do this.
a expanded view of the same area
Top Down and then elephants.. Single Piece of Stone.
http://www.world-mysteries.com/mpl_11.htm
More pictures and more...
The Kailasa temple (also written Kailāsa, Kailash and Kailasanatha temple) is a famous rock cut monument, one of the 34 monasteries and temples known collectively as the Ellora Caves, extending over more than 2 km, that were dug side by side in the wall of a high basalt cliff in the complex located at Ellora, Maharashtra, India. Of these, the Kailasa (cave 16) is a remarkable example of Dravidian architecture on account of its striking proportion, elaborate workmanship, architectural content, and sculptural ornamentation of rock-cut architecture
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kailasa_temple,_Ellora
oldandhappy
(6,719 posts)and amazing. WOW
Ichingcarpenter
(36,988 posts)There are square and round tunnels that bore through and beneath the structure to channel water and air but are too small and long for human to have dug. by hand. There is also a suspected lower undiscovered chamber
The structure is carved from basalt
Moh's scale of hardness, Basalt hardness is an 8
http://www.saudicarbonate.com/files%20tables/moh.htm
jwirr
(39,215 posts)Ichingcarpenter
(36,988 posts)and its made from basalt.
jwirr
(39,215 posts)Ichingcarpenter
(36,988 posts)about the place
http://www.ancient-origins.net/ellora
There are some youtube links you can find but just take them with a grain of salt on the commentary however they do point out some interesting points that photos don't give justice.
jwirr
(39,215 posts)oldandhappy
(6,719 posts)lots of info for follow up
Never have wanted to go to India but this makes me think about that!
nashville_brook
(20,958 posts)i spent so much time on this b/c it blew my mind. thanks for sharing.
i mean -- i remember lots from that class, but this particular temple is one that i just can't get out of my mind. there's lots of other temples around the world -- Africa and Afghanistan and particular -- that used the same building technique.
packman
(16,296 posts)just goes to show how a culture can waste its time when they don't have video games, TV, or the Kardashians to fill up their hours.
BlancheSplanchnik
(20,219 posts)littlemissmartypants
(22,590 posts)Bengazi.
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)Ichingcarpenter
(36,988 posts)Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)aggiesal
(8,907 posts)catbyte
(34,340 posts)littlemissmartypants
(22,590 posts)Recursion
(56,582 posts)Kanheri in Mumbai is a smaller version of that.
greiner3
(5,214 posts)alfredo
(60,071 posts)Lalibela Ethiopia
In Armenia:
Judi Lynn
(160,450 posts)alfredo
(60,071 posts)BTW, do a search for Axum.
Judi Lynn
(160,450 posts)alfredo
(60,071 posts)Matara Eritrea was beautiful too.