Mega-structures of the Middle Ages: the construction of religious buildings in Europe and Asia, c. 1000–1500

摘要: How did medieval builders manage to construct some of the tallest structures in world without access modern engineering theories? Construction drawings were limited details and, with only a handful exceptions, manuals for appeared late fifteenth century. By implication, relevant knowledge had be transferred on personal basis. Its underlying principles must therefore have been reasonably simple. This article shows how modular design, combined on-site experimentation, guided much construction work large projects such as European cathedrals, Middle Eastern mosques, Indian temples, and Chinese pagoda towers.