# How much to build 7 Wonders today? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 25, 2008, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-to-build-7-wonders-today/434956 "2008-01-25T14:55:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![WoodenTaco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/45deac/32.png) [@WoodenTaco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WoodenTaco)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2008, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-to-build-7-wonders-today/434956/21 "2008-01-26T21:37:55Z")
[QUOTE=casdave] The Colossus of Rhoes would be relatively cheap, there’s no way it would have been as large as the ‘Angel of the North’ which stands out for miles around. > **[Angel of the North](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel_of_the_North)** > > The Angel of the North is a contemporary sculpture by Antony Gormley, located in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, England. Completed in 1998, it is seen by an estimated 33 million people every year due to its proximity to the A1 and A167 roads and the East Coast Main Line. The design of the Angel, like many of Gormley's works, is based on Gormley's own body. The COR-TEN weathering steel material gives the sculpture its distinctive rusty, oxidised colour. It stands 20 metres (66 ft) tall with a win... And before anyone comments on the materials, or even that the Coossus was a casting, well we don’t know that, the steel used in the Angel is probably of far far better quality than anything that could have been produced back then, and it would not be too hard to create a figure that straddles across two piers. Cost, few milllion at most. [/QUOTE] Good to hear you’ve surveyed the land and done all the hard work! We’ll let the people of Rhodes know. :rolleyes: Contemporary belief is that the statue was made of bronze, and the Rhodesians want to see any new Colossus built with bronze as well, which isn’t as easy to do as with steel. The Angel of the North doesn’t have to deal with frequent earthquakes, either, which is kind of a doozy. That’s what killed the first Colossus, after all. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2008, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-to-build-7-wonders-today/434956/22 "2008-01-26T21:42:18Z")
**Tris** , your problem is clearly that you’re imagining an American billionaire back-yard. There are plenty of places we could go to that wouldn’t require much in the way of inspections, _and_ we could enslave the populace. Hell, why not do it the old fashioned way? ---
**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2008, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-to-build-7-wonders-today/434956/23 "2008-01-27T01:54:33Z")
[QUOTE=Ají de Gallina] [National Pride] I think Machu Picchu would be a tough one, too [/National Pride] [/QUOTE] Probably not. The difficulty there was in transporting the materials, not putting it together. of course, replicating the scenery would be a massive pain. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2008, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-to-build-7-wonders-today/434956/24 "2008-01-27T05:13:34Z")
[QUOTE=Subway Prophet] Why not use poured cement in some of the construction of the pyramids? It worked well enough for the Hoover Dam (which _is_ a Wonder in Civ II. 🙂 ) Some time ago, I came across an article where an author of some engineering skill was convinced that (some of? most of?) the limestone portions of (some of? most of?) the Egyptian pyramids were poured cement. I think I remember this conclusion was based on the composition of the blocks. It could be far-out nutbaggery, I don’t know. Does anyone recall the specifics of this analysis? [/QUOTE] You mean [this one?](http://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=109692&org=NSF) > [@](#): > > A year and a half later, after extensive scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations and other testing, Barsoum and his research group finally began to draw some conclusions about the pyramids. They found that the tiniest structures within the inner and outer casing stones were indeed consistent with a reconstituted limestone. The cement binding the limestone aggregate was either silicon dioxide (the building block of quartz) or a calcium and magnesium-rich silicate mineral. > > The stones also had a high water content–unusual for the normally dry, natural limestone found on the Giza plateau–and the cementing phases, in both the inner and outer casing stones, were amorphous, in other words, their atoms were not arranged in a regular and periodic array. Sedimentary rocks such as limestone are seldom, if ever, amorphous. > > The sample chemistries the researchers found do not exist anywhere in nature. “Therefore,” says Barsoum, “it’s very improbable that the outer and inner casing stones that we examined were chiseled from a natural limestone block.” > > More startlingly, Barsoum and another of his graduate students, Aaron Sakulich, recently discovered the presence of silicon dioxide nanoscale spheres (with diameters only billionths of a meter across) in one of the samples. This discovery further confirms that these blocks are not natural limestone. ---
**Author:** ![SmackFu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@SmackFu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmackFu)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2008, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-to-build-7-wonders-today/434956/25 "2008-01-27T05:39:32Z")
> [@](#): > > There are plenty of places we could go to that wouldn’t require much in the way of inspections, and we could enslave the populace. Also the practical middle-ground of Dubai. Cheap labor from Southeast Asia with low oversight, and the government on your side. They can put skyscrapers up for a fraction of the cost it would be in the US. ---
**Author:** ![T\_SQUARE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9de053/32.png) [@T\_SQUARE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/T_SQUARE)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2008, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-to-build-7-wonders-today/434956/26 "2008-01-27T06:11:54Z")
[QUOTE=Exapno Mapcase] Contruction costs were astoundingly lower even a few decades ago than they are now. Most large projects today, even single buildings, are in the billion dollar range. [/QUOTE] True, costs have escalated, but if they can build Burl Al Dubai (by far the world’s tallest building) for 4 billion and the Wynn in Vegas (world’s most expensive hotel) for 2.7 I don’t see why we couldn’t build at least 6 wonders for much less. I agree that the pyramid ain’t going to be cheap. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2008, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-to-build-7-wonders-today/434956/27 "2008-01-27T20:19:21Z")
No more guessing. It’s going to happen for real. Appearing in today’s Sunday \*New York Times Magazine \* is a advertisement for Dubai’s Falconcity of Wonders, which, yes, will be constructed in the shape of a falcon. It will contain: > [@](#): > > new interpretations of the pyramids of Giza [built to original scale] as well as Egypt’s Lighthouse in Alexandria, the lost Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the greatest romantic gift in history, India’s Taj Mahal, China’s Great Wall, and a repertoire of the great ancient structures found in Rome, Athens, and Beirut. But wait, that’s not all: > [@](#): > > The Dubai Eiffel Tower and the Falcon Elysees will rise taller than the 1889 original emblem of Paris… And two, not one, but two New York Central Parks. They will be flanked by: > [@](#): > > 24 highrises, a five-star hotel [the Taj Mahal, in fact], and myriad commercial and residential buildings. How much would you pay for such a marvel? $50 billion? $25 billion? No! You can have the whole Falconcity of Wonders for a low, low $1.5 billion. Invest now. I am not joking about any of this, including the price, which is simply ludicrous. I assume Dubai isn’t joking either, with two color pages of advertising. I will predict here, today, that if this silly theme park of a city ever gets built, it will cost far, far, far more than $1.5 billion. ---
**Author:** ![Subway\_Prophet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecb155/32.png) [@Subway\_Prophet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Subway_Prophet)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2008, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-to-build-7-wonders-today/434956/28 "2008-01-28T02:56:52Z")
[QUOTE=Exapno Mapcase] How much would you pay for such a marvel? $50 billion? $25 billion? No! You can have the whole Falconcity of Wonders for a low, low $1.5 billion. [/QUOTE] I wonder how much lower labor costs are in Dubai than in the U.S. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2008, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-to-build-7-wonders-today/434956/29 "2008-01-28T03:24:45Z")
The Burj Al Dubai tower that **T\_SQUARE** referred to is estimated to cost $800 million, with the entire project costing a bit over $4 billion, so Dubai’s costs don’t seem to be that much lower than in the U.S. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2008, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-to-build-7-wonders-today/434956/30 "2008-01-28T03:57:05Z")
[Here’s](http://www.theforgottentechnology.com/) a fellow who estimates that he could build the Great Pyramid with [a crew of 740, in 25 years of 40-hour-weeks](http://www.theforgottentechnology.com/newpage2). Nor is this just some crackpot: He’s currently engaged in single-handedly constructing a replica of Stonehenge in his backyard, using only tools which would have been available to the original builders, and no source of power but his own muscles. His figures for the Pyramid are a straightforward extrapolation of the time it takes him to move blocks himself. ---
**Author:** ![T\_SQUARE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9de053/32.png) [@T\_SQUARE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/T_SQUARE)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2008, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-to-build-7-wonders-today/434956/31 "2008-01-28T09:21:58Z")
[QUOTE=Exapno Mapcase] The Burj Al Dubai tower that **T\_SQUARE** referred to is estimated to cost $800 million, with the entire project costing a bit over $4 billion, so Dubai’s costs don’t seem to be that much lower than in the U.S. [/QUOTE] That’s interesting. I thought 4 billion was for the building itself. what exactly is the 3.2 billion paying for, beyond the building? Since Las Vegas Hotels these days often clear a billion easily, the fact that they can put up Burj for a fraction of that indicates cheap labor to me. but I know almost nothing of construction. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2008, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-to-build-7-wonders-today/434956/32 "2008-01-28T14:14:47Z")
[QUOTE=Chronos] [Here’s](http://www.theforgottentechnology.com/) a fellow who estimates that he could build the Great Pyramid with [a crew of 740, in 25 years of 40-hour-weeks](http://www.theforgottentechnology.com/newpage2). Nor is this just some crackpot: He’s currently engaged in single-handedly constructing a replica of Stonehenge in his backyard, using only tools which would have been available to the original builders, and no source of power but his own muscles. His figures for the Pyramid are a straightforward extrapolation of the time it takes him to move blocks himself. [/QUOTE] That is really cool. ---
**Author:** ![SmackFu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@SmackFu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmackFu)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2008, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-to-build-7-wonders-today/434956/33 "2008-01-28T15:06:19Z")
[QUOTE=Exapno Mapcase] The Burj Al Dubai tower that **T\_SQUARE** referred to is estimated to cost $800 million, with the entire project costing a bit over $4 billion, so Dubai’s costs don’t seem to be that much lower than in the U.S. [/QUOTE] The Freedom Tower is currently priced at $3 billion, and it’s 300 meters shorter. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2008, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-to-build-7-wonders-today/434956/34 "2008-01-28T16:28:27Z")
[QUOTE=SmackFu] The Freedom Tower is currently priced at $3 billion, and it’s 300 meters shorter. [/QUOTE] Special circumstances. It’s in the most expensive real estate in the world, is filled with all sorts of protective devices and conctruction techniques to make it terrorist proof, has energy-generating capabilities outside the norm, and has been delayed for years while the costs pile up. > [@T\_SQUARE](#): > > That’s interesting. I thought 4 billion was for the building itself. what exactly is the 3.2 billion paying for, beyond the building? I’m having trouble making connections, but the Google page says this: > [@](#): > > Dubai Megaprojects - Burj Dubai is a new area rising in Dubai,UAE. Including the Burj Dubai Tower, Burj Dubai Mall and the Burj Dubai Mall Hotel and Tower. ---
**Author:** ![Threadkiller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/aca169/32.png) [@Threadkiller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Threadkiller)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2008, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-to-build-7-wonders-today/434956/35 "2008-01-28T18:45:08Z")
[QUOTE=Chronos] … Nor is this just some crackpot: He’s currently engaged in single-handedly constructing a replica of Stonehenge in his backyard … [/QUOTE] So, where exactly is your crackpot threshold? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2008, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-to-build-7-wonders-today/434956/36 "2008-01-28T20:52:11Z")
> [@](#): > > So, where exactly is your crackpot threshold? Someone who is doing the thing which he claims to be possible is not a crackpot. Note that he’s not “going to” recreate Stonehenge; he already has several of the blocks in place. He may have way too much free time on his hands, but what he’s doing works. ---
**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2008, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-to-build-7-wonders-today/434956/37 "2008-01-28T22:25:35Z")
[QUOTE=Threadkiller] So, where exactly is your crackpot threshold? [/QUOTE] Did you watch any of the videos on the site? He could be pulling a fast one, but what he says seems legit. He’s actually doing the work as well, not just saying the work can be done. Can you see some compelling reason to doubt him? ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2008, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-to-build-7-wonders-today/434956/38 "2008-01-28T22:45:59Z")
I thought the point was that any person building a full-sized replica of Stonehenge was a crackpot whether or not they were successful. Even by the standards of English eccentrics… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-to-build-7-wonders-today/434956.md?page=1)