Maya architecture spans thousands of years before Spanish colonization. Utilized geometric proportions and intricate carving for buildings. Cities built haphazardly based on natural topography. Temples like Palenque, Tikal, and Uxmal represent architectural zenith
Casa Vicens is Gaudí's first major project, built between 1883-1885. Commissioned by Manuel Vicens for summer residence in Gràcia, Barcelona. Gaudí personally supervised construction under parasol. Original site measured 30x34.5m with 1035m2 total area
Located 70 miles west of Belize City, atop Mopan River ridge. Served as Maya civic ceremonial center from 700-900AD. Name means "Maiden of the Rock" in Mopan and Yucatec languages. First modern explorations by Thomas Gann in mid-1890s
Located 50 km southwest of Cianjur, Indonesia at 885 meters above sea level. Contains five terraces connected by 370 steps rising 95 meters. Features massive hexagonal volcanic stone columns. Accessible via 110-meter stairway with 45-degree inclination
Herodotus and Diodorus Siculus described pyramid construction using wooden levers. Early pyramids were built entirely of stone, using local limestone and Tura limestone. Middle Kingdom pyramids were made of mud-brick encased in polished limestone
Göbekli Tepe (9500 BCE) is the world's oldest structure, featuring T-shaped megaliths. Tumulus of Bougon (4800 BCE) is a Neolithic barrow collection in France. Cairn of Barnenez (4800 BCE) is Europe's largest mausoleum with 11 burial chambers. Perperikon (5000 BCE) contains Roman-era palace and fortress with 2.8m thick walls. Durankulak (5500 BCE) shows systematic stone construction in Europe