Re ancient building-engineering techniques - How was complex knowledge passed on?

[astro]

Considering the complexity of projects like the pyramids or some of the “Wonders of the ancient world” type projects or even the precision and knowledge needed to construct the Roman aqueducts, these seem to indicate that a fairly high level of engineering acumen existed for a fair number of people in these civilizations, within the limits of the materials and the science at hand.

Without books or technical schools or large libraries how did this detailed information and these engineering skills stay intact from generation to generation in the ancient world?

[Una_Persson]

Well, some Roman engineers (Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, for one) did write texts as guides to others. His most famous and well-preserved works were the De architectura libri decem (10 books on architecture). I had a copy somewhere online, but cannot find it anymore…

[astro]

*Originally posted by Anthracite *
**Well, some Roman engineers (Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, for one) did write texts as guides to others. His most famous and well-preserved works were the De architectura libri decem (10 books on architecture). I had a copy somewhere online, but cannot find it anymore… **

I think these are the ones you are referring to but they are in latin, and I cannot read latin. Thanks for the cite though!

D e a r c h i t e c t u r a l i b r i d e c e m

Here is a good (english) book on these works

Ingrid D. Rowland, Thomas Noble Howe, Vitruvius. Ten Books on Architecture.

[sub]Writing his architectural treatise during the later part of the first century BCE, one of the ambitions of Vitruvius, retiring architectus, was undoubtedly to be recalled as an erudite and architectural authority. Whether he achieved this goal is certainly debatable: errors in geography, history, logic and technique continue to be highlighted. These errors, however, are part of what makes the work so valuable; they offer a glimpse into the mind of a classical architect. Regardless of the errata, Vitruvius remains destined to perpetual memory and the present rendition of his work is proof of that. The De architectura libri decem outlines Roman architecture – or what it should have been according to its author – at a time when its impact on future building ideals was paramount. Topics range widely, from architectural education, city planning and the development of humanity in the first book, to temple design and building typology, climate effects and acoustics, aqueducts and waterworks, astronomy and dials, and in the final book, defense apparatus and other machinae. Architectural principles are elucidated at specific junctures, and Vitruvius’ own view of what the profession should be comes across throughout the text. The value of the De architectura libri decem and its subsequent translations cannot be overemphasized. [/sub]

[Tyrrell_McAllister]

Well, some Roman engineers (Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, for one) did write texts as guides to others. His most famous and well-preserved works were the De architectura libri decem (10 books on architecture). I had a copy somewhere online, but cannot find it anymore…

Here it is in English…

and here it is in Latin just in case you’re interested.

[David_Simmons]

This is a complete WAG, but the apprentice system seems to be extremely old and is still in use in lots of trades. It could easily have been used by Roman builders.

[Forbin]

Why do you say there were no trade schools?
I remember when I was interested in Egyptology I learned that there were schools for scribes. They learned their trade in a formal setting.

[jovan]

The most sacred places in Shintoism are the two Ise shrine complexes, Geku and Naiku. They were first built in 692CE. Death and decay are very taboo in Shinto thought and so every twenty years, all the buildings are completely taken down and exact replicas are built. Except for one short hiatus, this has been going on to this day. (The last reconstruction dates to 1993.)

Even though plans have eventually been made, all the knowledge about the construction is entirely passed on orally from master carpenter to disciple. This goes down to the making and use of their tools, which haven’t changed in 1300 years.