SoA Forum

History => Ancient and Medieval History => Topic started by: Duncan Head on Oct 02, 2026, 09:45 AM

Title: Multi-storey Ethiopian palace
Post by: Duncan Head on Oct 02, 2026, 09:45 AM
https://archaeologymag.com/2026/10/2800-year-old-ethiopian-palace-strong-walls/

"Had walls strong enough to support 16 floors", though how many it actually had remains unclear.
Title: Re: Multi-storey Ethiopian palace
Post by: Imperial Dave on Oct 02, 2026, 10:39 AM
Room to park a few chariots
Title: Re: Multi-storey Ethiopian palace
Post by: Erpingham on Oct 02, 2026, 11:03 AM
Quote from: Imperial Dave on Oct 02, 2026, 10:39 AMRoom to park a few chariots

I don't think they are thinking multi-storey chariot park.
Title: Re: Multi-storey Ethiopian palace
Post by: Imperial Dave on Oct 02, 2026, 11:04 AM
If you build it they will come...
Title: Re: Multi-storey Ethiopian palace
Post by: Jim Webster on Oct 02, 2026, 12:14 PM
Quote from: Duncan Head on Oct 02, 2026, 09:45 AMhttps://archaeologymag.com/2026/10/2800-year-old-ethiopian-palace-strong-walls/

"Had walls strong enough to support 16 floors", though how many it actually had remains unclear.

It is intriguing. Strikes me as 'seat of the pants' engineering rather than too much faith in calculations is what guided the builders  8)
Title: Re: Multi-storey Ethiopian palace
Post by: Keraunos on Oct 02, 2026, 01:48 PM
Quote from: Erpingham on Oct 02, 2026, 11:03 AM
Quote from: Imperial Dave on Oct 02, 2026, 10:39 AMRoom to park a few chariots

I don't think they are thinking multi-storey chariot park.

There used to be multi-storey stables next to King's Cross, to support all the drays needed to transport goods delivered into London by the new railways.
Title: Re: Multi-storey Ethiopian palace
Post by: Imperial Dave on Oct 02, 2026, 01:53 PM
I knew it!!!  ;D
Title: Re: Multi-storey Ethiopian palace
Post by: Jim Webster on Oct 02, 2026, 02:24 PM
Quote from: Imperial Dave on Oct 02, 2026, 01:53 PMI knew it!!!  ;D

All they need to look for now is the Ethiopian railway  8)
Title: Re: Multi-storey Ethiopian palace
Post by: stevenneate on Oct 03, 2026, 07:40 AM
The Sphinx was the locomotive's boiler and left where it was after the Beeching Report. With the King's Highway completed, railways were a thing of the past.
Title: Re: Multi-storey Ethiopian palace
Post by: Imperial Dave on Oct 03, 2026, 08:02 AM
Very short sighted...
Title: Re: Multi-storey Ethiopian palace
Post by: DBS on Oct 03, 2026, 08:51 AM
Quote from: Keraunos on Oct 02, 2026, 01:48 PMThere used to be multi-storey stables next to King's Cross, to support all the drays needed to transport goods delivered into London by the new railways.
The Household Cavalry stables at Hyde Park Barracks are still two storeys; cannot have the RHG/D and LG nags socialising off-duty... one lot live upstairs, the others below them.

I also agree with Jim re: architectural strength being not so much deep scientific consideration, more just empirical experience and when-in-doubt-double-it. So I am sceptical about guesses as to how many storeys just from wall thickness.  Several, yes.  Lots?  Hmmm....  Just ask the Egyptians how many of their early pyramids collapsed before they cracked the design. (Pun unintended!)