Construction Techniques - Timeline

By Okarais
  • 700 BCE

    Post & Lintel

    Post & Lintel
    Post & lintel was invented by the Ancient Greeks in the 8th to mid 7th century BCE. It is used for building temples, theatre, housing, etc.
  • 600 BCE

    Anathyrosis Masonry

    Anathyrosis Masonry
    Anathyrosis masonry is the technical term for how the Ancient Greeks frequently set the joints of stone blocks. Anathyrosis used very little mortar.
  • 550 BCE

    Truss Roof

    Truss Roof
    The truss roof is one of the most widely used roofs in the world. It was invented in 550 BC.
  • 515 BCE

    Crane

    Crane
    The crane is one of the most commonly used construction tools ever invented by the Ancient Greeks. It is used for carrying heavy loads up tall buildings during construction. The first examples of cranes were powered by men or "beasts of burden" (which were usually donkeys).
  • 500 BCE

    Caliper

    Caliper
    Calipers are used for measuring the width of objects. They are used in fields such as mechanical engineering, metal working, wood working, forestry, science, & medicine.
  • 480 BCE

    Spiral Staircase

    Spiral Staircase
    The spiral staircase is a complex design that saves space in a lot of architecture such as: light houses, towers, homes, etc. The oldest spiral staircase is thought to be built in 480 BC!
  • 400 BCE

    Plumbing

    Plumbing
    Plumbing was one of the first modern amenities the Ancient Greeks invented. Plumbing allows running water inside almost all buildings. It was invented sometime during the 5th century BC.
  • 400 BCE

    Winches

    The winch was first documented sometime in the 5th century BC. It was documented by Herodotus of Haliacarnassus on the Persian Wars (Histories 7.36). The first uses of winches were tightening cables on pontoon bridges. Winches are one of the most used construction techniques to this day.
  • 260 BCE

    The Lever

    The Lever
    The lever is used as a rigid bar resting on a pivot. It was used to help move a heavy or firmly fixed load with one end when pressure is applied to the other. It was invented in 260 BC by Archimedes.
  • 250 BCE

    The Archimedes Screw

    The Archimedes Screw
    The Archimedes screw is one of the most notable inventions by the Ancient Greeks. It was used for carrying water up steep inclines. It was invented sometime during the 3rd Century