Although I, too, have studied Eastern culture quite a bit, I'm curious why you are so interested. From my studies of all older cultures, much of the "tech" tended to follow the same logical routes. After all, it doesn't matter what color the skin of an enemy is or what culture they've been raised, a tower presents many advantages for observation and defense.
The day I posted this as a topic, I had just learned of the towers. Was it from PBS? Not sure since I do snoop around on various topics.
I watched on TV a 1 hr program on those towers. I do not think saying PBS did it for attention is bright on your part. Nor silly on their part. PBS tries to take me in during the PBS one hour newshour program but there I can comment as well as refute as needed. 3 PM Pacific Time zone so you too can get taken in. Kathie Marine posts here and she knows just what I am speaking of.
I knew of that since I enjoy PBS and they have NOVA. At least all that work keeps those natives skinny.
I watched that video again and checked Darragon's credentials, she's not an anthropologist or archeologist so there's that ...and then she makes the same assumption as other amateur anthropologists have done(or maybe it was the film makers embellishment), no one knows what the towers were for not even the local inhabitants...when one local in the video clearly said they were fortifications...also that these towers were unknown which was untrue, as with many of these "ancient mystery" documentaries the commentary is over the top embellishment for dramatic effect... Darragons contribution was getting carbon dating on the timbers used to get a period estimate for construction...
no doubt a very healthy diet combined with climbing those ladders every day keep them fit and trim...
I don't know that you advanced the topic, however I was seeking what can be learned of the towers and do appreciate your commentary a lot. Thanks very much. There were varieties of towers built and some fell down due to earth quakes. I would have to go back and watch it one more time trying to ensure I have not forgot several elements to the story. This topic had no interest of note for quite a time.
Interesting. Some may have been for defense. Some just a show of wealth. It's hard to say. I appreciate you posting this.
don't know offhand...in hunter gatherer communities a traditional average lifespan would be about 35, mainly due to high infant mortality...and then they have to contend with disease, venomous insects and animals and no medical attention as adults... an abscessed tooth could be fatal for a very healthy male whereas for us it's a quick trip to the dentist...
even defensive structures become vanity/ego structures(mine is bigger than yours)...that was a big deal in europe too, who has the bigger castle!...the Palace of Versailles was exactly that(besides getting out of smelly Paris), impress the unruly nobles and foreign royals with your immense wealth and power, "you don't want to mess with me!"
what I thought was informative in the video was the tower design, local experience with earthquakes resulted in a unique building design to resist earthquake damage...I'm guessing here in assuming the type of earthquakes there cause building to sway back and forth, a star shape rather than square or round may be more stable and resist swaying
Please define "healthy diet" because most in those days were on a subsistence diet. It's only after the Industrial Age that sugar and fat became common.
I am thinking of that famous battle represented by Aussie actor Mel Gibson and he had power but lacked wealth.
yeah and so do egos, humanity is consistent someone always wants to out do the neighbors...nicer car, bigger pool, house, church, temple, tower, castle etc..