Construction, in its most basic form, is the process of creating structures that provide shelter, safety and functionality for people. Throughout history, construction has been one of the oldest human activities, evolving in surprising ways from its origins to become a complex and sophisticated industry.
The First Steps in Construction
The beginnings of construction date back to the first civilizations. Initially, humans used materials available in their natural environment to create simple shelters, such as cabins, huts, and cave shelters. These early efforts focused on the basic need for protection from the elements.
- Primitive Construction: The first structures were built with materials such as branches, animal skins and stones. Prehistoric humans lived in caves, and the first homes were made of organic materials such as wood, mud, and grass.
- Buildings in Ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt: Over time, the most advanced civilizations, such as the Mesopotamian and the Egyptian, began to use mud bricks, stone and wood. The great pyramids of Egypt, for example, are one of the most impressive achievements of ancient construction, showing the ability of these civilizations to create monumental and long-lasting structures.