The Greeks used plumbing as early as the 19th century BC, and in Babylon thousands of years ago they knew about the sewage system. The BBC talks about these and other structures that continue to influence the appearance of modern cities and architecture.
1. Ancient Egypt and the pyramids
The influence of the Egyptian pyramids on modern architecture can hardly be overestimated. The appearance of the buildings, which were built around 2580-2560 before our broadcast, is still used by architects of modern buildings.
Pyramids can now be found not only in Egypt. The United States has its own Great American Pyramid, or Pyramid Arena - this is the name of the building in the city of Memphis, which was originally a sports arena and is now used as a shopping center. Las Vegas also has its own pyramid - this is the shape of the Luxor hotel and casino. Other famous pyramids are the glass entrance to the Parisian Louvre and the Nima Sand Museum in Japan.
2. Roman roads
"All roads lead to Rome" - in fact, of course, not all, but the Romans definitely knew enough about the roads. Before the rise of the Roman Empire, there were no easy ways to travel between cities. The Romans understood how important an efficient transport system and the creation of trade routes between settlements were. As a result, they set about building the most convenient and durable highways.
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To determine the routes, the Romans conducted a full-fledged "reconnaissance" - they sought to avoid natural obstacles and build roads as straight as possible. The roads were reinforced with foundations and laid with stones so that they would not be pushed by the weight of the troops marching along them or carts with luggage.
Despite the fact that these methods were used in the 4th century BC, they are still used today. Some routes laid by the Romans in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East are still part of the international transport infrastructure.
3. Sewerage in Babylon
The first sewerage system in Paris appeared in 1850 - it was built according to the design of Baron Haussmann and engineer Eugene Belgrana. London waited for its sewer system until 1866 and got it thanks to the engineer Joseph Basalgetta.
The Babylonians learned how to manage wastewater around 4000 BC. Ancient Babylon is considered the first city where residents learned to form pipes from clay, through which waste was removed from housing.
The earliest example of a sewer system, which consists of pipes, joints and knees, was found during the excavation of the Belle temple in Nippur.
4. Ancient Greek aqueduct
The world owes its invention to the water supply to the Greeks. It first appeared on the island of Crete during the Mycenaean civilization. In the palace at Knossos, the ancient capital of Crete, an elaborate system for supplying clean water and removing wastewater was built. The inhabitants of Crete have learned to lay pipes underground.
In Crete, heating systems and some of the earliest flush toilets were developed - all this happened in the 18th century BC.
5. Pagan cults
Milton Keynes may not be the most beautiful city in Britain. It was built in the 1960s to address the housing crisis. But his device is intended to demonstrate "reverence for the megaliths and monuments of the historical past of Britain."
The construction of the city was strongly influenced by pagan rituals and beliefs. For example, the construction of Midsummer Boulevard, the main street of the city, is associated with the sunrise at the summer solstice - according to the same principle, Stonehenge was built.
6. Architecture of Ancient Rome
“Rome was not built in a day,” says the famous proverb. The influence of the architecture of this civilization stretched out over the centuries and is still noticeable throughout the world.
When Napoleon was building his own empire in the 19th century, several structures borrowed from Rome appeared on his order in Paris - for example, the Arc de Triomphe and the Place Vendôme complex.
Traces of Rome are also visible in the United States - looking at the White House in Washington, you will see columns and arches.