How to look like the ancient clay skyscrapers (photos)

Now in these homes live about 12 thousand people.

Publication from Wise In Design (@wiseindesigns) 1 Feb 2018 5:03 PST

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At first glance, the buildings in the city of Shibam in Yemen look quite modern. However, they are made of clay and sometimes resemble the shape of a truncated pyramid, as the thickness of the walls with each new floor was getting thinner.

To build “skyscrapers,” the residents were not of a better life.

The border settlements were strictly regulated and confined to a fortress wall. Space for building was scarce, and the population grew steadily. So came the idea to build houses not in length but in height.

Over its two thousand years history of Shibam became the capital, but now its population numbers about twelve thousand people. The ancient city with its unusual architecture is one of the symbols of Yemen.

It is often called “the oldest city of skyscrapers in the world.”

Since 1982, Shibam is under protection of UNESCO and included in the world heritage list.

Publication of HG Esch (@hgeschphotography) APR 5 2018 3:34 PDT

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