The premise of evolution is fundamentally around how life is slowly evolving and changing over vast amounts of time. This too, must therefore include the mind and the mind’s ability to reason and understand principles of engineering.
With an evolutionary perspective, physical history and evidence of construction should reflect humanity’s ever-increasing knowledge. Right? But what we see instead of “evolutionary” structures are man-made monoliths that defy the idea of cave-man civilizations that were less intelligent. It takes great mental power and understanding to build massive sites that stand the test of time.
Let’s look at this Smithsonian Magazine article written by Margherita Bassi titled: “Colossal Stone Monument Built 1,000 years Before Stonehenge Shows Neolithic Engineers Understood Science.” The article is an in-depth review of the materials and probable construction process of the Menga Dolmen.
As proponents of intelligent design, it should come as no surprise to us that ancient civilization would need to utilize principles of math and science to complete these great feats of engineering.
In fact, the article begins with one of the crowning achievements: The Menga Dolmen of Spain holds a colossal stone chamber that includes a 150-ton capstone—roughly five times the weight of the heaviest megalith at Stonehenge. What a feat! According to Michael Parker Pearson, an archaeologist at University College London, the builders could not have afforded to make mistakes when maneuvering the stones into position and would need “an extraordinary eye on dimensions and angles”
Builders of the Menga Dolmen would have had to use principles or knowledge of: #1. Friction, acceleration, and center of mass to move the stones; #2. Counterweights, ramps and the consideration of soil to set the stones; #3. And weight and stress distribution to carve and build the stones into an arch.
García Sanjuán tells CNN: “We have to call it science…If any engineer today tried to build Menga with the resources that existed 6,000 years ago, I don’t think they could do it.” But let’s not stop with Menga Dolmen. According to the New York Times there are over 35,000 ancient stone structures in Europe alone.
Why should we care? Science exemplifies intelligent design! Due to their engineering precision, material durability, and alignment with astronomical phenomena, the construction techniques employed by ancient societies reveal advanced knowledge of geometry and physics. It’s the only way they could have created these monumental edifices that have stood for centuries.
The use of sourced stone reflects an understanding of geological properties, while the choice of materials demonstrates insights into strength and resilience. Science, Technology. Engineering, Arts, Mathematics, and Physics all come in to play at this site, and many others.
Many ancient structures are strategically aligned with celestial bodies, showcasing a sophisticated understanding of astronomy and the ability to incorporate this knowledge into architectural design: Stonehenge in England, The Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, Machu Picchu in Peru, Chichen Itza in Mexico, Newgrange in Ireland, and Gobekli Tepe in Turkey. All are oriented to align with solstices, equinoxes, or celestial events revealing the cultural study of the stars, and also the probable worship of the stars. Finally, the longevity of these stone structures, often lasting thousands of years, provides invaluable data for current fields such as archaeology, geology, and materials science.
We can learn from our past. By studying weathering patterns, structural integrity, and construction methods, scientists can gain insights into the technologies and environmental conditions of ancient civilizations. Overall, ancient stone structures serve as a testament to human ingenuity that underlies a Creator. An initial mind that we all were created in the image of.
I mentioned that all of these major archaeological sites had something to do with astronomy, or more likely, astrology. That also lends credence to the Biblical record of the Tower of Babel being the initial inspiration for these other structures.
When we look at our past and see these mysterious stone structures, and when we consider the Word of God, we know that “by wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established.” And we should be reminded to worship the Creator of nature instead of nature itself.
I’m David Rives,
Truly, the heavens declare the glory of God.