What are Ancient Superhighways?
The idea of “ancient superhighways” is becoming increasingly compelling as experts try to figure out how ancient civilizations may have traversed long distances to transport goods and people. The notion of massive infrastructure systems predating modern highways, railroads and shipping networks has been quietly gaining traction as new technologies, namely supercomputing, come into play.
Today, evidence of ancient superhighways can be found in some of the oldest archaeological sites around the world. Whether it’s in North America, Mesopotamia or even South America, these highways may represent key proof that these ancient societies were far more organized and advanced than we ever imagined.
And now, without further ado, let’s look more closely at ancient superhighways, why they are being suggested and how supercomputing is transforming the way we investigate and understand their legacy.
What’s a Superhighway?
In its most basic form, a superhighway is a form of transportation that allows for goods and people to travel a long distance quickly, efficiently, and with a minimum degree of disruption to the landscape and terrain. They are able to cut through hills, marshes and forests, providing shortcuts that dramatically reduce the travel time from one point to another.
At their zenith, superhighways were used to ferry goods and people from one location to another, providing an almost instantaneous pathway between two regions. The rails and roads of these ancient paths would evolve to become more efficient and reliable, with regular rest stops and other features that allowed it to rival modern highways.
What are Supercomputing and How Does it Help Us Understand Ancient Superhighways?
Supercomputers are specialized machines designed to process huge amounts of information, far more quickly than a human can. They use extremely powerful processors and large amounts of RAM, both necessary ingredients in today’s larger investigations and data analysis.
It is this power that allows various researchers to look at larger problems in a more comprehensive fashion, and the ancient superhigheway topic is its latest application. By understanding the true nature of these roads and rails, experts are better able to analyse the logistics of their construction and their long-term use.
What Evidence is There of Ancient Superhighways?
The most obvious evidence of ancient superhighways can be found in the ruins of ancient civilizations. Pyramids and ziggurats were commonly found in the more advanced cities of Mesopotamia, North America and South America.
These monumental structures were made to make a statement, with the overall height of the building symbolizing the power of the ruling class. What’s often overlooked is the fact that these buildings were often connected via a network of roads, likely used by traders and political supporters to ferry goods from one city to another.
Some of the most important structures associated with ancient superhighways are the Silk Road, spanning from China to the Middle East, and other Indian and South American empires, connected together with roads used also by traders and workers.
The Roman Empire was also heavily connected via complex network of roads and bridges, linking Europe’s biggest cities like Paris and Rome, whilst providing a key supply route along the region’s coastline by sea.
What Supercomputing Has Revealed About Ancient Superhighways
By running large simulations and crunching data, a team of specialists have been able to make astounding discoveries regarding the ancient superhighway systems, including insights into the speed with which they could have been built, the types of materials used and the level of sophistication of these amazing ancient roads.
Supercomputing simulations have allowed researchers to consider the logistics of transporting large amounts of goods over long distances, providing insight into the viability of these ancient infrastructure networks.
For example, simulations have shown that entire armies could have moved at an astonishing speed for the time, making it possible for rulers to move troops from one area to another in incredibly short periods of time. The implementation of these ancient highways could have allowed for the rapid proliferation of ideas and goods from one region to another.
In one particular case, supercomputers revealed how a small band of traders could have moved large amounts of goods over a huge area in astonishingly short timescales, thanks to the efficient use of river transport, resting periods and strategically built roads.
Why Are Ancient Superhighways a Source of Interest?
The notion of ancient superhighways is not only fascinating, but also supports and strengthens the idea that these ancient civilizations are far more advanced than previously thought. They may have been able to manage large numbers of people highly efficiently, providing the perfect precursor to the modern transportation and manufacturing systems we still use today.
The idea of ancient superhighways offers up an interesting glimpse into the past, allowing us to debate the level of sophistication of these ancient civilizations and just how interconnected they may have been. From the ruins of a few structures, and the use of 21st century supercomputing technology, we can begin to piece together what was once a vibrant and growing society and give it the recognition it deserves.
The notion of advanced ancient superhighways is a captivating one, with evidence quickly mounting to suggest that ancient societies were capable of managing, building and operating complex transportation systems. The use of supercomputing technology has opened the door to a new avenue of understanding, allowing us to analyze the intricate nature of these ancient infrastructure networks and appreciate the scale, speed and efficiency with which these ancient civilizations operated.
In many ways, such highways provide a window into a transformative period of human society and are certain to captivate future generations as they try and reconstruct these ancient passages of time.
