Posted on 08/07/2020 10:41:06 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
To me, the proto/early-human who gets the "genius award" is the one who first used something softer than flint for a hammer -- because its control opened up a whole world of advanced tool development.
Heck, when I was a kid, we had "long range mudball wars" -- using springy willow sticks to give us 100+ yard range. But, we never got the notion to throw a lightweight spear ("dart") with them -- ("Atlatl")...
TXnMA
A good thing too. You might have killed someone.
I was only using the wheel as an analolgy for life-changing technologies (fluting) that were invented but never employed practically until by later cultures.
I realized your intended reference. I just find the reference interesting and the misconception of most people that the wheel and wheeled carts is somehow an obvious and simple concept.
And your reference to the Mayans who had wheeled toys but not carts. The transition from toys to carts is not immediately obvious because of the point I made about axels. Many other cultures also had wheeled toys long before true carts.
One must also consider that good roads are necessary to make use of carts effectively. Consider that in Japan cart were forbidden for use on the Emperor’s roads because they caused ruts and made marching troops on them more difficult.
The famous roads of the Roman Empire were made specifically because the Romans realized the necessity of good roads for baggage carts and wagons in supplying their armies. (Again, the use of the wheel as a weapon of war. If you can’t supply an army with food and weapons you will lose to the foe that can)
Yes, indeed. And these GGG posts are exactly why I mentioned the Mayan wheeled toys...
The great Maya "white road" that connected the cities of Coba and Yaxuna
...and...
Ancient Mayan Superhighways [Causeways] Found in the Guatemala Jungle ...
Why build raised causeways and a 26 foot wide, 60 mile long white plastered road, -- if you have no vehicles to take advantage of them?
I can't figger 'em out. Must've been liberals... '-)
TXnMA
Most road building projects through out history have been to get your military from one place to another quickly. It is easier for armies to march on paved roads that are raised above the mud.
Take one rock and beat on another rock with it. How many different interpretations of that can there be?
Plenty.
Uh, let's see... they had, uh, a ceremonial or ritual purpose! Yeah, that's it!
Ancient astronomy tools...pointy things for laying out star maps with a precision modern man is still unable to duplicate...
;>)
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Are you deliberately pretending to be dense or sarcastic -- or did you avoid reading #13 and #20, above...?
TXnMA
A little sarcastic, but like I said, only so many ways.
TXnMA
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