As fire ripped through France's iconic cathedral, stone vaults developed in the Middle Ages kept it from being destroyed beyond repair.
Dr Robert Bork, an architectural historian at the University of Iowa, told the ABC the cathedral boasts some ofInnovation and exploration in the Middle Ages resulted in the creation of wider vaults that would better allow for elaborate windows than previous Romanesque churches, he explained.
"It was a time of a lot of structural experimentation as architects looked to increase the height of buildings, and the amount of light that could get in through bigger windows, and thankfully most of those vaults have held up well, even in Notre Dame today," Dr Bork said.
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Notre-Dame: The world mourns as fire tears through iconic cathedralFirefighters continue to battle a gigantic blaze that has torn through the spire and roof of the iconic 12th century Notre Dame in Paris, but already the world is mourning
Read more »
Notre Dame fire threatens a historical and cultural iconTaking 200 years to build and completed in 1345, the Notre Dame cathedral has been at the centre of much of France's history for centuries and has had a lasting global cultural impact.
Read more »
Notre Dame engulfed in flames as firefighters battle to save itThe roof and spire of the historic cathedral have collapsed, with firefighters still working to contain the blaze.
Read more »
Watch the moment the Notre Dame spire collapsesVideo has captured the iconic spire of the Gothic cathedral collapsing after fire tore through its wooden frame.
Read more »
Paris' famed Notre Dame engulfed in flamesParis' historic 850-year-old Notre Dame cathedral has suffered significant damages after being engulfed in flames. 9News
Read more »
Notre Dame cathedral in Paris on fireA huge fire has engulfed the famed Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, causing the spire and part of the roof to collapse. 9News
Read more »
'A part of all of us is burning': Historic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris catches firePeople watched in horror as one of France's most-loved buildings was engulfed in flames, the famous spire that had been a city landmark for hundreds of years collapsing into the flames.
Read more »
Notre Dame cathedral blaze finally outThe fire which engulfed the famed Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, causing the spire and part of the roof to collapse, has finally been extinguished. 9News
Read more »
World reacts to devastating fire at Notre Dame CathedralAn emotional French President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to rebuild Notre Dame as he visited the famed Paris cathedral which was partly ravaged by fire.
Read more »