A crane is a machine that moves materials both vertically and horizontally, using a boom, hoists, wire ropes or chains and pulleys to lift and relocate heavy loads within the swing of its arm. The earliest known lifting device, the shaduf, was developed in ancient Mesopotamia around 3000 BC and later spread to ancient Egypt, but the true building crane emerged separately in ancient Greece in the late 6th century BC, where distinctive lifting cuttings on temple stone blocks provide the archaeological evidence for its use in construction.
Facts
YearSourced to the subject's own accountDating rests on archaeological evidence (lifting-tongs and Lewis-iron cuttings on Greek temple stone blocks) rather than a single dated text; the shadoof, an earlier lifting device, appears in Mesopotamia around 3000 BC but is not classed as a true crane. SignificanceSourced to the subject's own accountReplaced labor-intensive earthen construction ramps with a mechanical lifting device, letting small skilled crews raise heavy stone blocks and reshaping how monumental architecture such as Greek temples was built. 1 Sources
1. Crane (machine) (Wikipedia)
WikipediaHistory, Ancient civilizations section, Wikipedia article Crane (machine)
However, the transition to building cranes occurred in ancient Greece during the late 6th century BCE.
opening definition sentence, Wikipedia article Crane (machine)
A crane is a machine used to move materials both vertically and horizontally, utilizing a system of a boom, hoist, wire ropes or chains, and sheaves for lifting and relocating heavy objects within the swing of its boom.
View the Source Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.