Rope bridges are one of the oldest types of man-made bridges, found in Central American societies and the Himalayas. They can be basic, consisting of only two ropes, or more stable with a trellis structure and railings. In Inca culture, they were vital to the road system. The Carrick-a-Rede Bridge in Ireland is a famous modern rope bridge. They are often used as treehouse and playground accessories and have been featured in adventure films.
A rope bridge is believed to be one of the oldest types of man-made bridges in the world. Able to span vast spans with relatively simple means of support, rope bridges from early history are found throughout Central American societies and the Himalayas. While some general traffic rope bridges still exist today, they are also popular in smaller forms as treehouse and playground accessories.
A type of suspension bridge, the most basic form of rope bridge can only consist of two ropes: one to walk on and one to hold on to. These are heavily weighted at each end, in order to produce some stability for the walker. Without the proper application and placement of weight at both ends, a rope bridge can become dangerously unstable, capable of throwing travelers off their feet in an instant and sending them hurtling towards the thousands of hungry alligators, or at least the quarry of sand.
Even in ancient times, rope bridges appear to have been somewhat more stable in construction than the most basic version. Some may have had a trellis structure for walking and tall railings that can be easily grabbed for added stability. Modern, safety-conscious versions often have a surrounding mesh under the main bridge structure, in case a fall occurs.
In pre-European contact Inca culture, rope bridges are believed to have been vital to the complex Inca road system. They were often preferred for construction near ravines and on high passes for several reasons. First, the bridges were extremely light and easy to build; building a strong rope bridge was far more efficient than trying to haul building materials across a mountain and up a jungle. Secondly, they were easy to replace. Because the bridges, made of stiffened screws, would sag over time, the entire bridge would require replacement every few years.
One of the most famous modern rope bridges is the Carrick-a-Rede Bridge in Ireland. Some historians suggest that local fishermen had erected a rope bridge in the area every year since the late 17th century to connect the mainland to seasonal fishing grounds. Today, the bridge has been modernized with many safety measures for the well-being of tourists, although many still consider walking the arch a thrilling adventure.
Rope bridges are often disparaged as the source of a cinematic cliché. Many classic adventure films include moments of high tension, in which the hero or heroine is trapped on a ruined rope bridge, with safety only meters away and terrible danger behind. Iconic images of some of film’s greatest heroes racing to safety across a treacherous rope bridge can strike fear into anyone crossing a real rope bridge; it is important to remember that most modern operating bridges have multiple protections to prevent falling and very few have alligators underneath.
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