Final answer:
The post-and-lintel construction method features two supportive posts and a horizontal lintel. It is an ancient building technique exemplified by historical structures such as Stonehenge, and it was a precursor to architectural advancements like the corbel arch, which allowed for larger spans and weight distribution in construction.
Step-by-step explanation:
The manner of construction that features two upright posts with a horizontal lintel across them is known as a post-and-lintel. This ancient architectural technique has been used to span spaces, creating entrances such as doorways or hallways, effectively enclosing space. The posts act as vertical supports while the lintel is the horizontal member that lies across the top. The weight of the structure is distributed down through the posts, which permits the creation of open areas between them.
Post-and-lintel construction is observed in many historical sites, including Stonehenge and various classical civilizations like the Egyptian, Greek, and Roman empires. These civilizations used colonnades, a series of columns connected by lintels, to enclose larger areas and to add grandeur to their structures. A significant limitation of the post-and-lintel is the weight it can support, which led to the development of corbel vaults and arches by the Mycenaeans to better distribute the weight and to allow for larger spans.