These buildings are protected, right?
History aficionados might look at these images and think, “These are absurd; nobody is going to build a freeway through Petra.” But architectural treasures have been destroyed throughout history. The Colosseum, though victim to erosion and neglect to some extent, looks the way it does in part because much of its fine marbles and architectural details were stripped off to be used in other building projects. Abandonment of places like Machu Picchu and Greater Zimbabwe meant neglect of the buildings, leading to their ruin. Buildings that have been continuously used and adapted to modern needs and have been constantly maintained like the Pantheon have fared much better. The Parthenon, the crown jewel of Greece’s Acropolis Hill literally had its roof blown off. Historic treasures are not immune to destruction and major change.
