11 Stories! The Impressive Skyscrapers Made of ‘Mud’ in Shibam: The ‘Desert Manhattan’ on the Brink of Collapse

Written by Rafaela Fabris

Published on 19/12/2024 at 13:55

Updated on 19/12/2024 at 23:23

Construídos com tijolos de barro há mais de 400 anos, os arranha-céus de Shibam chegam a 30 metros de altura e estão ameaçados pelo tempo e pela guerra!

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Discover How Adobe Skyscrapers Up to 11 Stories, Built Centuries Ago in the Heart of the Yemen Desert, Face the Threat of Collapse Due to Wars, Floods, and Abandonment.

Have you ever imagined adobe skyscrapers defying time in the middle of a desert? That is exactly what happens in Shibam, Yemen. Known as the “Manhattan of the Desert,” this historic city carries fascinating architecture but now faces serious threats of collapse. These buildings, up to 11 stories tall, made entirely of mud, are a testament to human ingenuity. However, time and adverse conditions put this unique heritage at risk.

The Fascinating Shibam and Its Adobe Skyscrapers

500 mud towers form this incredible historic city in the middle of the desert. With walls up to 1.80 m thick at the base, these constructions have stood for centuries but face erosion and natural disasters. — 500 adobe towers form this incredible historic city in the middle of the desert. With walls up to 1.80 m thick at the base, these constructions have stood for centuries but face erosion and natural disasters.

Shibam is not just another ancient city. With origins dating back to the 16th century, it was strategically built to protect its inhabitants from Bedouin attacks. Its adobe towers, seen from afar, resemble modern skyscrapers, hence the nickname “Manhattan of the Desert.” But here, sophistication lies in simplicity: soil, hay, and water were the materials used to create a landscape as impressive as it is fragile.

The logic behind these constructions was practical. In the desert, where space and resources were limited, erecting vertical structures was the best solution. Each building was designed with ground floors for storage and upper levels for socializing and living. It’s amazing how this sustainable solution predated modern concepts of urbanization!

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW

The Century-Old Adobe Construction Technique

Construction begins with a mixture of soil, hay, and water, transformed into bricks that are “baked” in the sun. This simple yet effective process creates materials that withstand the extreme heat of the desert. Despite their durability, these bricks require constant maintenance to face wear caused by wind and rain, especially in skyscrapers.

With walls up to 1.80 m thick at the base, these towers were designed for stability and thermal insulation. The upper floors have thinner walls to reduce weight. Each building is a masterpiece of functionality, combining safety, comfort, and efficiency.

The Modern Challenges of Shibam

In 2008, a devastating flood caused significant damage in Shibam, exposing the vulnerability of these constructions. As if that weren’t enough, rains and winds continue to erode the facades of the buildings, requiring periodic restorations.

The political instability in Yemen also exacerbates the situation. War and terrorism hinder preservation efforts, leading UNESCO to classify the city as a World Heritage Site in Danger. Without immediate action, the world may lose one of its most incredible architectural relics.

The Importance of Preserving the Manhattan of the Desert

After the damage caused by the flood, restoration programs began to be implemented. However, the continuity of these efforts depends on funding and stability in the region. Preserving Shibam, these adobe skyscrapers, is a global responsibility.

Shibam is more than a city; it is a living lesson on how humanity can thrive with limited resources. Its adobe towers are an example of sustainability and resilience, inspiring architects and environmentalists around the world.

Shibam reminds us that simplicity can be grand. Preserving this city is essential to keeping alive a significant part of human history. Want to help? Support organizations working in heritage preservation and spread the importance of Shibam.

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Joao Gambin

#100954

19/12/2024 20:55

A materia deveria ser escrita por um arquiteto, uma resalva, nao existe construçao com “lama” vc mesmo descreveu solo (argila) feno e agua, isso não é lama.

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Lucas

#101131

Reply to Joao Gambin

20/12/2024 07:16

É porque o povo gosta de sensacionalismo, senão não “vende” e.. devia explicar de forma mais clara uma “contrução” feita de Adobe, porque a imagem da capa claramente foi feita no Adobe Photoshop com inteligência artificial.. ou qualquer outra ..

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Jorge Luis

#101204

Reply to Lucas

20/12/2024 08:57

Esse povo do jornalismo parece viver o espetáculo da exposição, e cada nova matéria procura se superar no sensacionalismo. Talvez tenham se inspirado nos juízes criativos das Cortes Superiores…

Respond

daniel

#101605

Reply to Lucas

20/12/2024 22:52

Adobe é um bloco de barro.

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11 Stories! The Impressive Skyscrapers Made of ‘Mud’ in Shibam: The ‘Desert Manhattan’ on the Brink of Collapse

Discover How Adobe Skyscrapers Up to 11 Stories, Built Centuries Ago in the Heart of the Yemen Desert, Face the Threat of Collapse Due to Wars, Floods, and Abandonment.

The Fascinating Shibam and Its Adobe Skyscrapers

The Century-Old Adobe Construction Technique

The Modern Challenges of Shibam

The Importance of Preserving the Manhattan of the Desert

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11 Stories! The Impressive Skyscrapers Made of ‘Mud’ in Shibam: The ‘Desert Manhattan’ on the Brink of Collapse

Discover How Adobe Skyscrapers Up to 11 Stories, Built Centuries Ago in the Heart of the Yemen Desert, Face the Threat of Collapse Due to Wars, Floods, and Abandonment.

The Fascinating Shibam and Its Adobe Skyscrapers

The Century-Old Adobe Construction Technique

The Modern Challenges of Shibam

The Importance of Preserving the Manhattan of the Desert

The Soviet Union spent 22 years drilling into the Earth’s crust and reached a depth of 12,262 meters — they found water where it was thought impossible, hydrogen bubbling from the rock, granite that is 2.7 billion years old, and temperatures of 180 degrees that melted the drill bits.

Egypt wants to draw 10 million cubic meters of water from the Nile per day into the desert, irrigate a new agricultural frontier, and build a city where there is currently only sand.

Ethiopia has banned gasoline and diesel cars, placed over a hundred silent electric buses on the streets of Addis Ababa, and now aims for half a million electric vehicles by 2030, all powered by Africa’s largest dam and a courage that few countries have shown.

Norway is drilling 27 kilometers of rock 392 meters below the bottom of a fjord to build the world’s largest and deepest underwater road tunnel — when completed, a 21-hour journey will be reduced to 10.

An astronaut spent 340 days in space while his twin brother stayed on Earth, and NASA found a “rejuvenating” effect, genes, microbiome, cognition, and immune system that revealed the biological cost of living outside the planet.

After 14 years of construction and a diplomatic crisis that nearly led to a military confrontation over control of the Nile, Ethiopia inaugurated the largest hydroelectric power plant in Africa — the dam is 170 meters high, holds 74 billion cubic meters of water, and generates 5,150 megawatts.

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