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Snake Bridge over a canal passageway, the UK
(lemmy.world)
What is a ruin? We’re running off of “You know it when you see it” at the moment. Ruins should be non-functioning structures of some age, or their function reduced to tourism and the like.
Generally speaking, specific items from a ruin should go to !historyartifacts@lemmy.world
Illustrations of ruins (or their reconstructions) should go to !historyillustrations@lemmy.world
Photos of ruins back when they were functioning should go to !HistoryPorn@lemmy.world
I think it was because the balance between materials and labor costs was different back then. If everything was being handmade by artisans anyway, why not let them make it look nice while they're at it? Besides, without machine precision, ornamentation is probably quicker and easier than straight lines in a lot of cases.
(See also: traditional architectural styles vs. modernism.)