See What It Takes to Move a 1,100-ton Stone Tomb
May 23, 2017—A 15-century stone mausoleum, weighing 1,100 tons, safely traveled over a mile in almost 4 hours with the aid of a concrete platform and 191 wheels.
As camera phone-toting locals looked on, the historic Zeynel Bey Mausoleum trundled to its new home in Hasankeyf, Turkey on May 12.
Built in 1475 by a Turkic ruler to commemorate his son’s death in battle, the domed tower was moved from its original site in the 12,000-year-old town of Hasankeyf to a new “cultural park” over a mile away—and over 200 feet higher in elevation. The costly undertaking removes the tomb from the area affected by a massive reservoir that will flood the Tigris River Valley when the controversial Ilısu Dam becomes operational.
Though some opposed the structure’s relocation, citing concerns that the tomb would sustain damage, proponents argued that the move was made in
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