How ancient skyscrapers set the pattern for today’s high-rise buildings

When we think of skyscrapers, our minds think of the glass-and-steel giants of New York, Dubai, or Shanghai. However, the concept of vertical living is not new. Long before the invention of modern engineering, ancient civilisations sought to build higher - whether for protection, space efficiency, or social prestige. One of the most remarkable examples of early skyscraper-like structures is found in the city of Shibam, Yemen. With mudbrick towers reaching up to 100 feet high and standing for over 500 years, Shibam has earned the title of the “Manhattan of the Desert.” But Shibam is not an anomaly, because many similar structures exist elsewhere in the world.

Shibam, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is an extraordinary example of ancient high-rise architecture. Dating back to the 16th century, this fortified city is composed of about 500 multi-story buildings, some as tall as 11 stories. Constructed from sun-dried mudbrick, the buildings were designed to maximise space within the city walls while providing security against raids. The compact, vertical layout allowed for a dense population to live within a small, easily defensible area.

One of the most striking features of Shibam’s skyscrapers is their continuous upkeep. Mudbrick is a remarkably durable material when maintained properly, but it requires regular restoration to withstand erosion from rain and wind. The residents of Shibam have upheld these maintenance traditions for centuries, demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to preserving their architectural heritage.

As a major trading hub along the ancient incense and spice routes, Shibam was vulnerable to raids. High-rise construction allowed inhabitants to live above street level, where they were less susceptible to attacks. This was the main reason for creating the building.

However, the city is also surrounded by desert, making outward expansion difficult. Instead, Shibam’s residents built upward to accommodate a growing population. The thick mudbrick walls also provided insulation, keeping interiors cool during the scorching days and warm during chilly nights.

Other ancient skyscrapers

Shibam is unique, but it is not the only example of early high-rise construction. Many ancient cultures developed vertical living solutions to address space, security and environmental concerns.

San Gimignano, a medieval town in Tuscany, is famous for its well-preserved stone tower houses. In the 12th and 13th centuries, noble families competed to build taller and taller towers, often using them as both homes and defensive strongholds. At its peak, the city had around 72 towers, though only 14 remain today. These stone towers, some reaching up to 230 feet, demonstrate how vertical construction was used as a display of wealth and power.

In southeastern China, the Hakka people built circular, multi-story earthen structures called tulou, some over 1,000 years old. These buildings, constructed from rammed earth and timber, housed entire clans in self-sufficient communities. Some tulou reached five stories high and could accommodate up to 800 people. They were designed to withstand both natural disasters and human threats, serving as fortified villages with single, heavily protected entrances.

The Ancestral Puebloans (Anasazi) of the American Southwest constructed remarkable high-rise dwellings built directly into cliffs. Structures like Cliff Palace in Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado, featured multi-story buildings made of sandstone, wooden beams and adobe mortar. These dwellings, dating back to the 12th century, provided protection from invaders and harsh weather while maximising available living space in a challenging environment.

The Mudbrick Towers of Djenné, Mali

Djenné, home to the world’s largest mudbrick structure - the Great Mosque of Djenné - also features traditional multi-story mudbrick houses. Like Shibam, the residents of Djenné have developed techniques for maintaining their buildings, reinforcing them annually with fresh layers of mud. The architectural style reflects a long-standing adaptation to both social needs and environmental constraints.

Another example from the American Southwest is Pueblo Bonito, an intricate multi-story complex built by the Ancestral Puebloans over 1,000 years ago. Consisting of more than 600 rooms and standing up to five stories high, this structure was one of the most sophisticated settlements of its time. Built with sandstone blocks and mortar, Pueblo Bonito shows how ancient civilisations mastered the art of vertical construction.

In regions prone to flooding, indigenous communities built stilt houses (known as rumah panggung in Indonesia and palafitos in South America) that rise several stories above the ground. These wooden structures, while not as tall as Shibam’s mudbrick towers, demonstrate the use of vertical building techniques to address environmental challenges.

The common thread linking these structures is the innovative use of available materials and the adaptation to environmental and social challenges. While modern skyscrapers rely on steel and reinforced concrete, ancient builders achieved impressive verticality with mudbrick, stone, timber and even rammed earth.

Despite being centuries old, many of these structures are still standing due to sustainable building techniques and ongoing maintenance. This highlights the importance of using locally sourced materials that are well-suited to the environment.

Each culture designed its high-rises to suit its unique climate and geographical conditions. Shibam’s mudbrick provides insulation against the heat, the Ancestral Puebloans used sandstone to blend with cliffs and tulou structures had thick walls to regulate temperature.

Many of these high-rise dwellings served not just as homes, but as communal living spaces, reinforcing strong social structures. The tulou housed entire clans, while Pueblo Bonito was a hub for trade and ceremonies.

While modern engineering has allowed us to build taller than ever before, ancient civilisations laid the groundwork for vertical architecture long before the advent of steel and concrete. From the mudbrick towers of Shibam to the cliff dwellings of the American Southwest, these early skyscrapers stand as testaments to human ingenuity, resilience and adaptability.

Understanding and preserving these ancient high-rise structures not only gives us a glimpse into the past, but also provides valuable insights for the future of sustainable and community-focused architecture. Perhaps the architects of today can still learn a thing or two from the builders of Shibam and other vertical cities of antiquity.