mountainman

Ammianus Marcellinus, in Book 17 describes the use of "thousands of ropes" in the relocation of the "obelisk of Karnak" to Rome, in the rule of Constantius.

13. But Constantine, making little account of that,
tore the huge mass from its foundations; and
since he rightly thought he was committing no
sacrilege if he took this marvel from one temple
and consecrated it at Rome, that is to say, in
the temple of the whole world, he let it lie for a
long time, while the things necessary for its transfer
were bing provided. And when it had been
conveyed down the channel of the Nile and landed
at Alexandria, a ship of a size hitherto unknown was
constructed, to be rowed by three hundred oarsmen.

14. After these provisions, the aforesaid emperor
departed this life and the urgency of the enterprise
waned, but at last the obelisk was loaded on the
ship, after long delay, and brought over the sea and
up the channel of the Tiber, which seemed to fear
that it could hardly forward over the difficulties of its
outward course to the walls of its foster-child the gift
which the almost unknown Nile had sent. But it
was brought to the vicus Alexandri distant three
miles from the city. There is was put on cradles
and carefully drawn through the Ostian Gate and by
the Piscina Publica and brought into the Circus Maximus.

15. After this there remained only the
rising, which it was thought could be accomplished
only with great difficulty, perhaps not at all.
it was done in the following manner: to tall beams
which were brought and raised on end (so that you
would see a very grove of derricks) were fastened
long and heavy ropes in the likeness of a manifold
web hiding the sky with their excessive numbers.
To these was attached that veritable mountain
engraved over with written characters, and it was
gradually drawn up on hight through the empty
air, and after handing for a long time while many
thousand men turned wheels resembling millstones,
it was finally placed in the middle of the circus
and capped by a bronze globe gleaming with gold leaf;
this was immediately struck by a bolt of the
divine fire and therefore removed and replaced
by a bronze figure of a torch, likewise overlaid
with gold foil and glowing like a mass of flame.

Also, there are references in "Barbarians" to machines which were extant,
built by the Greeks and others, which the Romans did not know how to
use properly --- basically because the Romans were just "professional
rulers", and knew alot about war, and conquest, and taxation and tribute,
but very very very little about technology (outside that of war)

douglas

On a related topic, the history channel had a show on a few weeks ago called the Machines of the Gods. Here's another thread.

Nazaroo

First of all, while ancient accounts are typically feeble and untrustworthy as to details of construction (sometimes the explanation is made up from the author's experience or suppositions), there are more realistic and verifiable (at least experimentally) techniques that are in use even today.

One can for instance, acquire great insight from the almost incredible experiments of this gentleman:

http://www.theforgottentechnology.com/Page1.htm
Flint man solves the mystery of Stonehenge

first raising block photo
Wallington & his tools, step 1

The question of how the ancients stood 26-ton stones on end to create Stonehenge more than 5,000 years ago has puzzled scientists for millennia, but a retired carpenter from Flint may have cracked the case.

Wally Wallington has been single-handedly moving incredibly large objects — we’re talking 10-ton concrete blocks — with very little effort for years. In 2003, using only sticks, stones, rope and gravity, he began building on his own Stonehenge in his backyard.
Step 2: A standing stone

It works like this: Wallington uses a homemade wood fulcrum to turn a giant stone block into a lever. Using counterweights, he maneuvers thin pieces of wood underneath the block until it’s hoisted off the ground. Then he takes the counterweights off the block and allows gravity to take over. Within seconds the giant block is vertical. Wallington stood his first Stonehenge-sized block, 19,200 pounds, by himself in only two days.

It’s been hypothesized that the original Stonehenge took about 2,000 years to complete. Even though Wallington doesn’t have a scheduled completion date for his Stonehenge, we’re pretty sure it will take a lot less time than that.





As well, only a few years ago an Egyptian stella was 'raised' by two Egyptian teams, attempting to replicate the ancient techniques used to carve, transport, and stand on end the originals.

I don't have a link for that, but I know I saw the videos of it on the net.





http://www.world-mysteries.com/mpl_2_1.htm