Evolution of Construction Techniques and Tools in Ancient Greece

Plumbing

1300 BCE

The Ancient Greek civilization of Crete was the first to use underground clay pipes for sanitation and water supply. The Palace of Knossos dates from 1700 to 1300 BCE and had the first known sewage canal system and the first WELL organized water system for incoming clean water, water disposal and storm sewage canals for heavy rain. It was also the first place where flush toilets are known to work.

Ancient Greek Houses

600 BCE

Commonly, Ancient Greek homes are made from mud bricks. The homes were rested on stone and had ceramic tile for roofs and wooden doors. Most homes have 2-3 rooms that surround an open courtyard. In the interior of the courtyard, an altar was located inside where Greeks prayed to their gods. The Andron is a room set aside specifically for men. The Gynaikon is the woman's room. This has changed. This has changed over the years because now, no room is set aside for a specific gender.

The Crane's Magnificent Strength

515 BCE

The first ever cranes were invented by the Ancient Greeks and were piloted by men and or beasts of burden like donkeys. These cranes where used for hardcore work like the construction of tall buildings. Later on, larger cranes were invented and they eventually started the use of human tread wheels which allowed heavier weights to be lifted. Cranes are obviously still used to build houses, malls, skyscrapers, etc.

Temples of the Gods

510 BCE

The Greeks built temples for the gods since they admire these wondrous people. Temples acted as houses for the gods. In Greece, temples are categorized in groups called orders based on columns. Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian are the names of the orders. Doric columns were technically plain, Ionic columns had designs of scrolls on top, and Corinthian columns had flowers and leaves carved on top. This is similar to today but the temples back then have evolved into modern shrines and churches.

Spiral Staircase Spectacular

480 BCE

The Greek Temple A at Selinunte is the oldest known staircase to date with the remains of 2 spiral stairs being found. Due to it's helical structure which is considered quite complex, it was brought into architecture quite a bit later than other staircases. Today a spiral staircase can still be a unique way to add a sense of luxury to a house.

Sculptures of Ancient Greece

437 BCE

Thanks to the sculptures left behind, we gained our knowledge and information about the Ancient Greeks. Phidias was one of Greeks greatest sculptures. Huge statues of Zeus at Olympia and Athena at the Parthenon which are now lost were Phidias's most well known work. Ancient Greek's sculpted with bronze or marble and they carved by hand with metal tools. That has evolved because now when sculpting, we use point chisels, tooth chisels, flat and rondel chisels, hammers, rasps, banker, and grinders.

The Parthenon's Greek Architecture

432 BCE

Pillars and Columns play important roles in Greek architecture also being used in the construction of the Parthenon in Athens. The Vancouver Art Gallery shares the same architecture as the Parthenon, it's just located in a more modern era. The Parthenon's architecture is also used in the Lincoln Memorial located in Washington D.C and many other buildings.

Central Heating

350 BCE

Central heating is something the Greeks invented where hot air is transferred from fires to spacing underneath the floors such as used at the Temple of Ephesus. The heat is commonly delivered through air ducts. However, most commonly heat is generated through the process of burning fossil fuel in a furnace or boiler. This is used commonly across our world to keep our homes warm when it's chilly inside.

Amphitheater Uses and Construction

340 BCE

Amphitheaters are used for entertainment, performances, and sports. The shape of the theater is a semi-circle with tiered seating on one side of the structure that rises. Amphitheaters have a modern stage shape that has spectator seating on one side. This ancient theater had an effect on present theaters of today as they share similar concepts.

Greek Watermills

300 BCE

The watermill is for grinding grain normally powered by water. The Greeks created the water wheel which is used to operate the watermill while the toothed gears transfer power to the watermill. Watermill's are still currently used world wide to this date. A watermill would be used for generating many goods such as flour, lumber, paper, textiles, and metal products.

Lifting Levers

260 BCE

Levers are what make pulley systems able to lift heavy objects with ease. Levers are machines consisting of a beam and a fixed hinge or fulcrum. It is believed that in Ancient Egypt, levers were used to lift objects that weigh 100 tons. The science behind these levers are still commonly used in our machines and equipment to this day.

Archimedes Fabulous Screw

250 BCE

Archimedes screw was invented to transfer water from land close to sea level to ditches that deliver water to dry land. Archimedes invention is a screw contained in a hollow pipe. Commonly, a motor is what causes the screw to rotate. As it turns, the bottom end of the screw scoops up water. Then, the water is pushed up the tube by a rotating helicoid. It is still used today to fill rivers that have to little water. It's also used for watering plants that need it constantly.

The Beeping Alarm Clock

250 BCE

Plato the Greek philosopher was the first to invent the alarm clock. In order to get the sound like an organ at a specific time, Plato used a water clock to cause that sound. Alarm clock's are still commonly used to this date. In fact I used it this morning to wake up early. It is designed so at a certain time, it will alert a person or a group of people when they request it.

The Rolling Wheelbarrow

200 BCE

The wheelbarrow is a small hand driven vehicle that has only one wheel. The wheelbarrow is meant to be guided by an individual using the two handles at the rear. Wheelbarrow is made up of 2 words, wheel and barrow. The last word barrow means a device that's capable of carrying loads. I currently own a wheelbarrow which I bought myself and I wan't to keep it forever. Farmers & landscapers use it quite often as well for their jobs on a daily basis.

Vending Machine

40

Hero Alexandria was the first to invent a vending machine that dispensed pre-blessed holy water. When a coin was inserted, it hit a pan attached to a lever and when the lever moved it opened a valve to release the water. Vending machines of today have evolved greatly to save us time & labour hours as they did for priests back in Ancient times.