Cyclopean walls as earthworks and terracing. Primary purpose of polygonal masonry was earthworks - leveling terrain to create terraces, acropolises, or islands Orbetello city sits on artificial island created with large fitted polygonal stones to prevent sinking into lagoon Pyrgi (Italy) has most impressive polygonal masonry in Italy - both in size and fitting
Cyclopean walls were primarily defensive fortifications built with massive limestone boulders fitted together with minimal clearance. However, polygonal masonry techniques were also employed in earthworks to level terrain for terraces, acropolises, and even artificial islands. Orbetello city sits on an artificial island created with large fitted polygonal stones. Pyrgi (Italy) features impressive polygonal masonry. Alatri features precise astronomical alignments.
Key Facts
- Primary purpose of polygonal masonry was earthworks - leveling terrain to create terraces, acropolises, or islands
- Orbetello city sits on artificial island created with large fitted polygonal stones to prevent sinking into lagoon
- Pyrgi (Italy) has most impressive polygonal masonry in Italy - both in size and fitting
- Strabo attributed Pyrgi (Italy) seaport to Pelasgians - considered 'first men' and great builders like cyclopes
- Alatri features precise astronomical alignments - likely served as astronomical clock to measure years and millennia
- Alatri reportedly founded by Chronos, Greek god of time
Related site: Pyrgi (Italy) — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: The Lost Engineering of Cyclopean Walls - In Italy by One-eyed giant building walls