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| Step-Stone Bridge | |
|---|---|
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| In a Japanese-style garden | |
| Ancestor: | None, this is one of the few foundational types, but see also: ford (crossing). |
| Related: | None |
| Descendant: | Clapper bridge, log bridge |
| Carries: | Pedestrians |
| Span range: | Has no spans, but must be spaced to allow sufficient water flow and a comfortable step, or perhaps a reasonable leap |
| Material: | Selected stone |
| Movable: | No |
| Design effort: | Low |
| Falsework required: | No |
A step-stone bridge is a simple means for a pedestrian to cross a watercourse during periods of low flow while keeping feet and (particularly) footwear dry. This type, along with the log bridge are likely the oldest bridge types. Unlike all other bridges, this bridge has no spans. Water is allowed to course between the stones that form the steps. Step-stone bridges are often seen in gardens in China and Japan. It is one of several principal types found in such gardens. Sometimes one will find these as informal crossings of small streams when hiking, as they are often built by hikers during the drier seasons and are subject to being swept away (or at least disarranged) during periods of high, fast water.
When step-stone bridges are in gardens open to the public, the step-stones are usually quarried from rough blocks and may be smoothed on their upper surface by a stone mason or topped with a smooth concrete treading surface.
Famous step-stone bridges
The Drukken Steps in the old Eglinton Woods near Irvine in Scotland, were a favourite haunt of the famous poet Robert Burns and his friend Richard Brown whilst the two were living in Irvine in 1781 - 82.[1]
The name 'Drukken' steps derives from a person's gait as they stepped from stone to stone whilst crossing the burn. Seven or more stones were originally set in the Red Burn which was much wider than now (2009).[2] Burns himself used the Scots spelling 'Drucken' rather than 'Drukken'.[3]
See also
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Category:Stepping stones |
References
- ^ Love, page 60.
- ^ King.
- ^ Scotch Drink
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