Clever Geometry Let People Move Massive 11,000-lb Concrete Structures by Hand

If you ever wondered how ancient civilizations moved large and heavy stone structures like the Moai statues on Easter Island, take a look at this project by Matter Studio:

Walking Assembly re-introduces the potentials of that ancient knowledge to better inform the transportation and assembly of future architectures.

Using the theory of weight and balance, the researchers wanted to create large-scale stone objects that could be moved, assembled, and disassembled — without cranes, heavy equipment, or much effort from humans at all.

By using variable density concrete, the center of mass of the object is calibrated precisely to control the stable, but easy motion of the elements.

Watch on Matter Design and see how two men moved gigantic structures by hand.

Via Curbed.

(Image Credits: Screenshot from Matter Studio)

Comments (3)

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The point was:humans can be reasonably clever. They can figure out how to achieve some pretty great things. I thought the movement and balance was a pretty elegant solution. How about moving a 20 ton slab without a crane? (And no cheating using Aliens!) Hold my beer.https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=E5pZ7uR6v8c

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Unless I missed something, I don't think they are saying this is what was used on Easter Island. Instead, it is just one of the prominent theories about the Moai heads that inspired this development.

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Did the people on Easter Island have variable density concrete? More to the point, I thought there were many possible explanations of how those statues could be moved - the problem is finding the archeological evidence to support a specific approach, or indicate some other alternative.

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