Ancient Bookmatching

[monkeybiter]

You'll soon see why this isn't in general woodworking;

I'm in Rome at the moment, thought I'd share these examples of bookmatching on display in the Pantheon [walls and floor].

and rotational symmetry

Of course what's nearly as interesting is watching the reactions when you start photographing the floor....

 

[RogerM]

Yep - it's a stunning building isn't it? 1900 years old and still as sound as the day it was completed. The dome is 142 ft across and entirely unsupported - some achievement when you consider that when it was built we were still living in Anglo Saxon round houses. Apparently it's made from concrete made from pumice to keep the weight down, the thickness gets progressively thinner with height, and in the final layers near the top, very thin skinned pots are contained in the structure to create even larger air spaces to reduce weight further.

 

[woodbloke]

Yep - it's a stunning building isn't it? 1900 years old and still as sound as the day it was completed. The dome is 142 ft across and entirely unsupported - some achievement when you consider that when it was built we were still living in Anglo Saxon round houses. Apparently it's made from concrete made from pumice to keep the weight down, the thickness gets progressively thinner with height, and in the final layers near the top, very thin skinned pots are contained in the structure to create even larger air spaces to reduce weight further.

Agreed Roger, a fabulous piece of building work. It's only when you step outside and see the state of the original columns do you realize just how old it it. Stunning - Rob

 

[Lons]

I'm jealous :!:

We were there for 4 days a few years ago and I loved it, just not enough time.

I remember those scenes very well - wife had to drag me out.

Fantastic city with something to see around every corner - but grafiti everywhere :?

enjoy

Bob