An ancient technique for lifting giant stone blocks using a Lewis tool

[globalmuseum@mastodon.online]

An ancient technique for lifting giant stone blocks using a Lewis tool

@sciencegirl #globalmuseum #history #construction

[alisynthesis@io.waxandleather.com]

@globalmuseum That is wicked cool! Wondering what was on the other end of the Lewis tool?

[twotired@universeodon.com]

@globalmuseum I wonder how they cut that tapered hole. I suppose they just chiseled out a square hole and then chiseled out the undercut by holding the tool at an angle?

[cfmccarthy@mstdn.social]

@globalmuseum Would be much more interesting and educational if an actual video of it being used was shown instead of an animated depiction.

[the_turtle@mastodon.sdf.org]

@globalmuseum seems like cutting the upside-down cone-shaped hole would be the real problem here.

[mildpeach@mstdn.social]

@Twotired @globalmuseum yes.

[anne_delong@musician.social]

@globalmuseum

Wow! I learn something new on Mastodon every day.

#engineering

[mildpeach@mstdn.social]

@globalmuseum interestingly, I’ve always heard it called a Master’s Key, one of the secrets of a master stone mason. Known since ancient times. Also works okay with shear-legs (two long poles bound at the top and surmounted with a rope. Of course, it also required a hundred or so men to pull the rope.)

[knasman@fosstodon.org]

@globalmuseum That's really cool.....and who knew Lewis was such an ancient name!

[globalmuseum@mastodon.online]

@alisynthesis Superman I suspect!

[alisynthesis@io.waxandleather.com]

@globalmuseum 🤣