Tools for excavating and founding buildings
Scoop-shovels, rakes, spades, wheelbarrows and a river-gravel rake
The sheet is a catalogue of implements for the founders of buildings, chiefly for digging out and clearing a site. A spoon-shaped 'water-shovel' drains ground where springs of water prevent architects from founding on watery soil; rakes and hoes serve for digging, spades and shovels for lifting the loosened earth and stones, and several wheelbarrows carry materials about the works. A large three-toothed rake is meant to break up the gravel fixed on river shores when a canal is to be cut through it to redirect a river, and a further tool cuts bricks; two hatchets and a lime-working rod are also drawn.
On this page
Spoon-shovel for draining watery ground
A kind of spoon-shaped shovel called the 'water-shovel' (aquatica) is used to dry out places where springs of water hinder architects from founding buildings on watery ground. It scoops the wet spoil away so the footing can be laid.
Rakes and hoes for digging foundations
A series of rakes and hoes is set out as tools convenient for the founders of buildings, for digging only. They loosen and gather the ground of the foundation trench.
Spades and shovels for lifting earth and stones
Spades and shovels are given as tools convenient for removing the earth and stones already dislodged from the foundations by the digging tools above. They carry off what the rakes and hoes have loosened.
Wheelbarrows for carrying materials
Several kinds of wheelbarrows are drawn for lifting or carrying the things needed for the buildings. They move spoil and materials around the site.
Three-toothed rake to clear river gravel for a canal
A large three-toothed tool, likened to a plow, is to be used to remove the gravel firm and fixed on the shores when you wish to cut a canal through it to redirect a river. It breaks up the packed bank so a new channel can be opened.
Tool for cutting bricks
A small instrument at the foot of the sheet is provided for cutting bricks. It shapes the quadrelli used in building.