Ancient Rome Project
Building an Arch
Aqueducts
were the most famous way the Romans used arches, but they really used
arches in all their buildings. With an arch, you could build a big room,
without having to find huge trees to make the roof out of. Just small
stones would do, or even just clay
for bricks.
If you want to see how this works, first observe how arches are built. You could look at a real arch near you, or a good picture of an arch in a book or on the internet.
Now try taking wooden blocks and building an arch with them. You can use a U-shaped prop to hold it up while you build it, and then take the prop away to see if it stands up. Or, build your arch lying down on a board, and then see if you can tip the board up and keep the arch standing. (Hint: for the keystone, you may need a trapezoidal block).
If you want to see how this works, first observe how arches are built. You could look at a real arch near you, or a good picture of an arch in a book or on the internet.
Now try taking wooden blocks and building an arch with them. You can use a U-shaped prop to hold it up while you build it, and then take the prop away to see if it stands up. Or, build your arch lying down on a board, and then see if you can tip the board up and keep the arch standing. (Hint: for the keystone, you may need a trapezoidal block).
One thing that is fun is to try to build an arch out of people (but do
it over mats!). The bottom people lie down on the ground facing the same
direction, about five feet apart. Then the next people lie on top of them,
and so on, building slightly inward, until the last person is the keystone.
Again, somebody (or a stack of pillows or something) will have to hold them up until the keystone goes in.
Other activities:
* Mosaics
* Cement
* Gladiators
Back to main Rome project page
Tell a friend about this page
Did Kidipede answer your question?
Yes, thanks! / No, can you help me?
