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Book “Peruvian polygonal masonry: how, who, when and what for”

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For those who are interested in the topic of polygonal masonry. The book “ Peruvian polygonal masonry: how, who, when and what for ” (R. V. Lapshin, 148 pp., Publishing Solutions, Moscow, 2025, ISBN 978-5-0067-0769-6) has been published. The book can be ordered in paper form (print on demand within 96 hours) and also downloaded in electronic form (black and white illustrations) on the Ridero website.  The e-book with color illustrations is distributed by the Litres platform.   Abstract The monograph covers the problem of reproduction of the most complicated for implementation type of a polygonal masonry existing in Peru using simplest means. This masonry type consists of large stone blocks weighing from several hundred kilograms to several tons fitted almost without a gap between complicated curved surfaces over a large area. The proposed methods are based on the use of a reduced clay model, 3D-pantograph, topography translator and replicas. The Fortress Sacsayhuaman has bee...

How the polygonal masonry megalithic structures of Peru made of large stone blocks with fitted curved surfaces were fabricated?

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Rostislav V. Lapshin , Ph. D. Kurchatov Institute, Moscow, Russian Federation e-mail: rlapshin@gmail.com The article suggests methods that allow creating the most complicated type of polygonal masonry found in Peru. This masonry type consists of large stone blocks weighing from several hundred kilograms to several tons fitted close to each other almost without a gap between complicated curved surfaces over a large area. The work provides a description of techniques, which apparently were used by builders who arrived from Europe. The techniques under discussion are based on the use of a reduced clay model, 3D-pantograph, topography translator and replicas. The use of a reduced clay model and a pantograph provides not only the unique appearance and high quality of masonry with large blocks, but also allows to significantly increase the productivity of the builders. As machines coping-scaling three-dimensional objects are known since the beginning of the 18th century, the s...