Living Bridges

No, these aren’t images from a theme park, just incredible living bridges in Meghalaya, India. Villages in this region have mastered a construction technique that uses the roots of the Ficus elastica tree (rubber fig tree), some of which are thought to be over 500 years old. First, the trunks of a betul nut tree are sliced down the middle and hollowed out, as a guidance system. The thin roots are then placed so they grow in the direction of the tree trunk rather than fanning out. Eventually, they reach the other side of the river and grow into the soil. Continue reading for another video and more pictures.

Living Bridges
Living Bridges
Living Bridges
Living Bridges

“Some of these bridges are over 100 feet long and can even support the weight of fifty or more people at a time. These bridges are used daily by the people of the villages around Cherrapunji and a few are thought to be more than 500 years old. There is even a double decker bridge, known as the ‘Umshiang Double-Decker Root Bridge,’ which features two bridges grown right on top of each other. It is thought to be the only bridge of its kind,” reports Inhabitat.

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