CONTINUE READING
The sinusoidal pattern, with its concave and convex waves, serves several important purposes. Trimble explains that during the Middle Ages, it was found that these undulating walls aided the growth of fruit trees in cooler climates.
Gary Porter from the Masonry Advisory Council calls Jefferson a genius for adapting this unique English style for the University of Virginia in the 1800s. It turns out, there’s a lot more to Jefferson than just politics.
These walls don’t just look cool, they’re pretty smart too. A single sinuous line of bricks is surprisingly stronger and requires fewer bricks than a straight wall.
A study in 2018 revealed that Jefferson intended these walls to conceal the use of slave labor, creating a physical divide on the campus. This adds a layer of complexity to our understanding of these structures and their place in history.