Architecture and Construction

Anything related to the design or construction of buildings, roads, aqueducts, etc.

1st century Roman palace found in Romania

Submitted by Milica on Sun, 2009-05-31 17:57
Romanian archaeologists are excited about the discovery of a Roman palace, dating to the time of Emperor Trajan, in the southwestern village of Zavoi. Experts believe that the structure was built during the first Dacian-Roman War of 101-102.

Roman vicus sheds light on the last days of Roman Britain

Submitted by Milica on Thu, 2009-05-28 18:33
Archaeologists working on a Roman settlement near Bowes, England have discovered a vicus, an unplanned settlement on the outskirts of the fort dating to the 2nd to 3rd centuries, which would have been home to hundreds of people.

Roman road being destroyed by 4x4s

Submitted by Milica on Sun, 2009-05-24 18:03
The last remnants of a Roman road from Wandlebury to Horseheath, England are being destroyed by trail bikers and 4x4 drivers who using it as a race track.

Dog Skeletons Indicate Medieval Custom of Sacrifice

Submitted by Ursula on Thu, 2009-04-23 07:50
A discovery of multiple buried dog skeletons in a medieval town outside Budapest suggests that the custom of animal sacrifice was much more widespread in early Christian Hungary than previously thought.

Medieval design could be eco-house of the future

Submitted by Milica on Mon, 2009-04-20 13:17
Engineers and architects at Cambridge University have constructed a prototype "eco-house" based on a 600-year-old design. The plan uses a domed technique developed in Spain called "timbrel vaulting" which retains the sun's heat and cools naturally in the summer. (photo)

Today in the Middle Ages: April 15, 1489

Submitted by Ursula on Wed, 2009-04-15 08:07
Ottoman architect Koca Mi’mar Sinan Aga , usually referred to as Sinan, was born on April 15, 1489. His innovative approach was to transform the Ottoman civic and religious architecture of the Ottoman classical period.

Earthquake takes lives, damages treasures in central Italy

Submitted by Milica on Thu, 2009-04-09 11:10
Tragedy struck central Italy April 7 when a 6.3 magnitude earthquake toppled ancient and modern buildings in the medieval city of L’Aquila. Over 200 people lost their lives, and the earthquake damaged nearly all the historic buildings of the town. (video)

Medieval and Renaissance Forum at Plymouth State University

Submitted by Milica on Thu, 2009-04-09 08:08
Plymouth State University in Plymouth, New Hampshire will present its annual Medieval and Renaissance Forum April 24-25, 2009. This year's keynote speaker is Dr. Carole Levin, author of Dreaming the English Renaissance: Politics and Desire in Court and Culture.

Tunnel network found under Malta's capital

Submitted by Milica on Tue, 2009-04-07 18:12
A series of tunnels, believed to have been constructed by the Knights of Malta, descendants of the Crusader knights, have been discovered beneath the Maltese capital of Valletta. Experts believe that the tunnels were built in the 16th or 17th centuries in defense of the city from Muslim attack.

Byzantine bathhouse excavation continues during rocket attacks

Submitted by Milica on Sat, 2009-04-04 16:48
Archaeologists are working amidst rocket-fire to complete the excavation of a Byzantine village, complete with a large bathhouse, near Gaza in Israel. Because of the existence and size of the luxury bathhouse, experts believe that the area was inhabited by wealthy residents.

Wedding at the House of Juliet

Submitted by Milica on Fri, 2009-04-03 12:42
What could be more romantic than getting married at the site of the legendary Romeo and Juliet balcony scene? Nearly anything, if you are put off by star-crossed lovers parted by suicide, but Verona city officials are banking on the romantic appeal of the site for international weddings.

Linkenholt, England goes on the block

Submitted by Milica on Thu, 2009-04-02 16:37
Anyone with a hankering to own property in England - and a cool US$31-35 million to do it with - will want to purchase Linkenholt, a complete English town with cottages, blacksmiths, a manor house and a clock tower.

Curved wall of Shakespeare's original theater found in London's Shoreditch

Submitted by Milica on Fri, 2009-03-27 08:42
A team of experts from the Museum of London believes it has found the remains of William Shakespeare's first theater which saw the premiere of plays such as Romeo and Juliet. (video)

Take a tour of the "world's only continuously lived-in fort"

Submitted by Milica on Mon, 2009-03-23 08:39
What would it be like to live in a 12th century hill fort in India? Ask the 5,000 residents who still inhabit the fort in Jaisalmer in the western part of the country. The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder takes visitors on a narrated tour with a slideshow.

Drought may have brought down Angkor Wat

Submitted by Milica on Fri, 2009-03-13 17:36
Historians have long debated the cause of the collapse of the ancient city of Angkor in Cambodia. Now, through the study of tree rings, they believe that the city was brought low by a massive drought.

Spirits reign in 12th century French house

Submitted by Milica on Tue, 2009-03-10 19:12
Writer, chef, and cooking school owner Susan Herrmann Loomis suspects that spirits may inhabit one room of her 12th century house in Louviers, a small Norman town north of Paris. Ronert P. Walzer of the New York Times looks at Loomis' renovation of the labyrinthan house into a home and cooking school.

Photograph reveals "Essence of Stonehenge"

Submitted by Milica on Tue, 2009-03-10 08:00
A recent photo contest by Amateur Photographer magazine called for camera buffs to capture the "Essence of Stonehenge." (photo)

Gloucester archaeologists search for "missing link" in wall

Submitted by Milica on Sat, 2009-03-07 18:47
Archaeologists are hoping that they will complete their discovery of the Roman wall which once ringed Gloucester, England during a summer dig. Evidence of much of the original wall has been found, except for one portion "between the corner of Parliament Street and Southgate Street."

Colchester Roman circus for sale

Submitted by Milica on Sat, 2009-02-28 14:28
Townhouses may soon cover the track of the only known Roman circus in Britain. The developer, Taylor Wimpey, has decided to sell the land which includes the historic starting gate and Sergeants' Mess in Colchester, England.

Mystery of "lost" Japanese kingdom continues

Submitted by Milica on Thu, 2009-02-19 19:49
Archaeologists in Japan have long known about the existence of the ancient Yamatai kingdom, but they have never been able to find it. Now they are seeking the help of history buffs to solve the mystery.

Citizen strives to save Beijing artifacts

Submitted by Milica on Mon, 2009-02-09 13:28
Many of China's historic buildings have been torn down, and others are scheduled for demolition, in an effort to provide room for a growing economy. Some citizens, like hospice administrator Li Songtang, are trying to save what little is left.

Roman mosaic found in Cotswold field

Submitted by Milica on Sun, 2009-02-08 17:51
Paul Ballinger and John Carter didn't find anything with their metal detector recently, but noticed tiles in a plowed field. After some searching, they uncovered a 40-foot (12 meter) diameter mosaic floor dating to 4th century Roman times. (photo)

Animal bones used in construction of Spanish walls

Submitted by Milica on Mon, 2009-02-02 09:15
Archaeologists studying the chemistry of 14th century Moorish architecture have found that burnt animal bones were mixed with other materials to create a protective covering for walls. Analysis of the walls, coupled with the discovery of a 14th century brick oven, have led to the conclusion.

Myth-busting the Middle Ages

Submitted by Milica on Wed, 2009-01-28 10:53
Among its numerous topics of discussion, List Universe includes "Top 10 Myths About The Middle Ages," an illustrated, annotated selection of myths modern people often believe about the Middle Ages.

Ravehenge? Not!

Submitted by Milica on Fri, 2009-01-23 14:04
Stonehenge experts are less than thrilled by recent depictions of the monument as a venue for prehistoric raves. “It has undoubtedly been put to the press in an eye-catching way with the use of the word rave and all that sort of thing,” laughs Dave Batchelor, archaeologist at Stonehenge, reflecting on the report by Huddersfield University’s Dr Rupert Till.

Celts in Eastern Europe

Submitted by Milica on Fri, 2009-01-16 13:40
The discovery of an early Celtic village near Krakow, Poland (3rd century BCE) sheds light on the history of the Celtic peoples in Europe. The village is unique in Poland.

Salisbury inspires medieval moments

Submitted by Milica on Wed, 2009-01-14 18:33
Travelers to London looking for a day trip may want to consider Salisbury in Wiltshire, a medieval city complete with impressive cathedral, museums and historic houses, and restaurants and pubs. Jennifer Conlin of the New York Times has a travel review.

Labour Party blamed for England's crumbling treasures

Submitted by Milica on Wed, 2009-01-14 15:59
Macer Hall, Political Editor of the Daily News reports that England's Labour Party is being blamed for the sorry state of many of Britain's historic buildings and sites, some of which are considered “at risk” by experts.

Historical remnants drive design of Leicester shopping center

Submitted by Milica on Wed, 2009-01-07 11:43
Remains of a 15th century church and a Roman townhouse have changed architectural plans for a UK£30 million, nine-storey, 2,000-space car park at the Highcross shopping centre in Leicester, England. The contemporary parking garage has been redesigned to protect the ancient treasures.

Modern apprentices to learn medieval skills

Submitted by margaretc on Mon, 2009-01-05 11:42
The castles and stately homes of Scotland have an ongoing need for joiners and plumbers and the like who are trained in modern and historical arts and trades. A new program seeks to train people in the necessary skills with an apprenticeship.