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Corbel Vault

Stepped stone archway.

Overview

Corbel vaults, using stone, create arched ceilings by layering stones in ancient architecture.

Core Characteristics

  • Stepped stone layers.
  • No keystone support.
  • Ancient structural technique.

Notable Examples

  • Mycenaean Tholos Tombs (Greece, 1400 BCE).
  • Mayan Temples (Mexico, 300 CE).

Architectural Connections

  • Ancient: Historical focus.
  • Structural: Tombs, temples.
  • Classical Architecture: Core movement.

Influence and Legacy

Enabled early vaulted architecture.

Related Concepts & Techniques

Stone Masonry (technique), Structural Engineering (theory), Vault (element), Ancient Architecture (movement)