Technology
Water Power
The waterwheel is one of humanity’s oldest and most significant inventions.
In its early pre-Roman form as a scoop wheel, it was used to lift water for irrigating farmland.
Since Roman times, water power has been harnessed intensively.
In the Middle Ages, watermills with weirs are first mentioned in the Lex Salica, the Salian law of the Franks.
From the 12th century onwards, water power was widely used across Europe to drive machinery.
Road Construction
Following the collapse of the Roman Empire, Europe’s long-distance road network fell into decline.
From the 11th century, however, efforts were made to rebuild the road network. The rise of trade spurred renewed interest in maintaining roads, particularly among towns and cities.
Inter-city roads were now expected to be at least 4.5 to 5 metres wide – double their previous width. This led to increased road building and urban development.
