The Seventy Wonders of the Ancient World: The Great Monuments and How They Were Built

by Chris Scarre (editor)

Expands on the traditional “Seven Wonders” to explore an impressive number of ancient marvels from around the globe. How were the ancient wonders of the world built? How many workers did it take to build the Great Wall of China and the Sphinx at Giza? What prompted rulers to take on these projects, knowing the human cost involved? The Seventy Wonders of the Ancient World answers such questions, examining these spectacular feats of engineering and the achievements of the builders who worked without the aid of modern technology. In this new edition, updated with the latest research, the raising of the stones at Stonehenge, the laying out of the Nazca Lines on the face of the Peruvian desert, and the construction of the Great Wall of China are all described and explained by leading experts. Packed with fact files, and intricate details about these awe-inspiring monuments, this is a testament to the skill of the ancient architects and engineers, which continues to impress successive generations through the ages. 13 illustrations

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Ancient History, Reference, Art, Architecture, World History

352 pages, Paperback

First published October 30, 1999

Reviews

[Erik S · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was hoping for a more historical or cultural account of the numerous ancient wonders of the world rather than vague descriptions on how materials were gathered and their dimensions.

[Caroline · Rating 2 out of 5]

more focused on engineering & architecture than I thought

[Stacy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would only recommend this book for people interested in ancient architecture and construction, not the average person.

[Laurel Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve technically finished this now. I split the reading experience in two as the format allows for it and the idea of perusing sections over reading the entire thing. Categories are clearly labelled and artefacts/locations of archaeological note given page numbers.

According to its introduction it is a revised and/or updated text and no authors are named on the cover, only the editor. I imagine the list of authors will be listed near the end of the book.

As a book, it is both interesting and fine. Sounds like an insult, maybe, but it is interesting in that it discusses sites and I didn’t know about beforehand and it is only fine in the way that I love context, notes and greater explanation on how a discovery is made. Much in the same way a discovery or artefact is only significant or relevant as evidence when you have all the information - location of discovery, circumstance and manner of its burial/abandonment etc - a significant discovery of knowledge on why or how a group of people lived the way they did works the same way. Give me evidence, excavation history or notes and the significance takes on a greater meaning beyond “cool - how do we know?”

On the other hand, treat it as a gateway into archaeological study and it probably fulfils its purpose.

Travis Elborough does a better job with this approach though, given that I don’t think he is an actual archaeologist and many of these authors might well be.

[Jonathan Haesaerts · Rating 3 out of 5]

In 'De zeventig klassieke wereldwonderen' overstijgt Chris Scarre de traditionele zeven klassieke wereldwonderen (het eerste hoofdstuk) en voegt er maar liefst 63 andere indrukwekkende gebouwen of beelden uit deze tijdsperiode aan toe. Steeds worden deze wereldwonderen uitvoerig besproken betreffende hun functie en bouwtechnieken zodat populaire vragen betreffende de bouwcapaciteiten van millennia oude volkeren worden beantwoord. Zeker de moeite waard voor wie zich afvraagt hoe in godsnaam de piramiden in Egypte, de beelden op Paaseiland of de mysterieuze Nazca-lijnen in Peru zijn wat ze zijn.

[John Teske · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I thought it would be, but then again, I did not see the subtitle when I ordered this from a book club long ago.

I thought this would be a book about 70 wonders of the world, their history, other useful cultural tidbits.

Instead, this is more of an architecture book, describing the construction of each of the monuments, and why such construction is unique and significant.

It is an interesting book, just not what I thought it might be. Still useful for trivia and for D&D RPGing.

[Kristina Giovanni · Rating 3 out of 5]

I should have read the subtitle: "...and how they were built." For what it purports to do, it does well but in a 90s oversized Nat Geo style. I would have preferred a more general summary of the great monuments and how they were used by their civilizations, and less about how they were built, although it does give me a greater appreciation for the sheer enormity of monumental building in terms of physical man-power.

[Tapani Aulu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Listakirja on listakirja. Olihan tässä hyvätkin hetkensä, mutta kun 70 kertaa listataan kivilohkareiden pituuksia ja painoja, niin tylsäksi käy väistämättä.

[Snail Guy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3

[Harry Adair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whilst this book is very informative I have knocked a star off as I feel this Is the wrong format for this book. This book requires reference images for each location whether they exist today or are solely artist renditions as mere text descriptions don’t do some of these ancient wonders justice. The Ziggurat of Ur is a marvellous structure but I would’ve appreciated a picture alongside the information. The fact-file is also interjected in very peculiar places. It jams itself in the middle instead of the end of a structures chapter. This book would be much better as a coffee table book instead of a small dinky paperback with ten photos instead of what could’ve been a great informational reference book.

[Sarah - All The Book Blog Names Are Taken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful but brief snippets of information about so many remarkable locations around the world. Many of these places are already on my bucket list to visit, but I've added several more just from scouring this book. Amazing structures, if only we could know more.

[Will Fairey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very heavy on the construction and the architecture of each monument, but still really intriguing to have such an insight into so many incredible feats of engineering that I’d bet many are not familiar with.

[Cool]

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