Before the age of steel and concrete, bricks and stones were the only two materials available to architects and bridge designers hoping to span a river or a valley with a structure that was both strong and durable. While these ancient building materials might not match some of the qualities of steel, they suited the needs of the time. Indeed, stone bridges in particular are virtually indestructible. There are thousands of stone and brick viaducts across Europe and Asia that dates back by hundreds and sometimes thousands of years. They will easily outlast many of our modern steel bridges.

Ouse Valley Viaduct. Photo: Flyby Photography/Shutterstock.com