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True or False: Can wooden architecture last longer than a thousand years.

User Hamid Sj
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Final answer:

Wooden architecture can last more than a thousand years, exemplified by Norwegian stave churches, but this longevity requires specific conditions or human preservation efforts.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question regarding whether wooden architecture can last longer than a thousand years is less about a definitive true or false answer and more about the conditions under which wooden structures are preserved. Examples from history, such as the Norwegian stave churches and ancient wooden furniture found in burial caves, demonstrate that wood can withstand the test of time under certain conditions, such as in environments that prevent rot or when maintained and preserved by humans. The stave churches, some of which have stood since Viking times, are testimony to the longevity that wooden architecture can achieve.

However, when compared to stone or brick, wood is generally less durable; prone to decay from weather conditions or susceptible to fire. Post-and-lintel systems and true arches used in stone constructions reflect a different approach to building, one that often shows greater longevity. With proper preservation techniques, certain wooden structures have indeed lasted over a millennium, but this is not the norm for most wooden architecture.

User AbdulRahman Ansari
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