One of the first signs that an ancient civilization was moving up in the world was the building of roads and bridges. History’s first architects relied on the material nearby to help their communities get from point A to point B. Though the vast majority of these efforts have since fallen into disrepair or been completely destroyed, a select few have not only managed to stand the test of time, they’ve remained lovingly maintained and actively used by thousands of people. If you ever need some proof of the power of human innovation, just check out these ancient bridges that are still in use today.
1. Caravan Bridge, Turkey
Meet the Caravan Bridge in Izmir, Turkey. The simple bridge that spans the river Meles, the Caravan Bridge was finished in 850 BC and has remained in continuous use ever since. That makes this little bridge almost 3,000 years old, a record that qualified it as both the oldest standing bridge in the world — it actually has a Guinness World Record — as well as one of the oldest man-made structures still in use today.
