Lifting boss
Lifting bosses or handling bosses are protrusions intentionally left on stones by masons to facilitate maneuvering the blocks with ropes and levers.[1][2]
They are an important feature of ancient and classical construction, and were often not cut away, despite having fulfilled their purpose. Sometimes this was the result of a cost-saving measure or a construction halt. Other times bosses were left as a stylistic element, and even if dressed back, a remnant of them was kept to make their existence obvious.[3]
Levering bosses left on Inca walls of Cusco, Peru_-_2022-03-26_-_18_(bosses).jpg.webp)
Bosses on the Propylaia (Acropolis of Athens)
References
- Arnold, Dieter (1991). "Bosses". Building in Egypt: Pharaonic Stone Masonry. pp. 132–141. ISBN 9780195113747.
- Stocks, Denys A. (2003). Experiments in Egyptian archaeology - Stoneworking technology in Ancient Egypt. p. 193.
- Devolder, Maud; Kreimerman, Igor (2020). Ashlar: Exploring the Materiality of Cut-Stone Masonry in the Eastern Mediterranean Bronze Age. p. 313. ISBN 9782875589644.
Further reading
- Clarke, Somers; Engelbach, R. (1990). "Handling the Blocks". Ancient Egyptian construction and architecture. pp. 84–95.
- Coulton, J. J. (1974). "Lifting in Early Greek Architecture" (PDF). The Journal of Hellenic Studies. 94: 1–19.
- Philokyprou, Maria (2011). "The initial appearance of ashlar stone in Cyprus. Issues of provenance and use" (PDF). Mediterranean Archaeology and Archaeometry. 2011 (2, pp.): 44–45.
- Schreiber, Th (1895). Anderson, W. C. F. (ed.). Atlas of classical antiquities. London: Macmillan. pp. 18, Plate IX. doi:10.11588/diglit.49928.
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