Centuries-old bridges, grown from tangled roots

May 31, 2015 1:23 PM

The Root Bridges of Cherrapunji In the depths of northeastern India, in one of the wettest places on earth, bridges aren't built — they're grown.

See also: Sustainable Architecture - The Living Bridges of Meghalaya

posted by Michele in California (6 comments total)

The photos look like movie sets for the next version of the Hobbit.
posted by Dip Flash at 1:42 PM on May 31, 2015 [1 favorite]

I just discovered Atlas Obscura the other day. It's worth looking up your state. You probably live near a few weird, interesting places you never knew about.
posted by Ursula Hitler at 2:06 PM on May 31, 2015 [4 favorites]

This is wonderful. Thanks for filling my Sunday afternoon with a fascinating topic to research.
posted by pipoquinha at 2:06 PM on May 31, 2015

That's a nice gallery but unfortunately I only get a few seconds to look at it before a pop-up ad covers the entire page with its "close" button unscrollably past the edge of my screen.

Wikipedia: Living root bridges, Wikimedia Commons: Shaped trees gallery
posted by XMLicious at 2:40 PM on May 31, 2015

Meghalaya's Living bridges
posted by KirkpatrickMac at 5:42 PM on May 31, 2015 [1 favorite]

I love the words "Umshiang Double-Decker Root Bridge". Just try saying it aloud.
posted by misterbee at 9:05 PM on May 31, 2015