Technology & Infrastructure in the 6th century

21 sourced entries, 500 CE to 595 CE, oldest first. Also see Technology & Infrastructure across every century or everything else in the 6th century.

• 500The monument of Ale's Stones is built in Sweden (approximate date).source
• 500Approximate beginning of the Heptarchy period in the history of England.source
• 504A major expansion of Copán's ceremonial center, the Acropolis complex, is undertaken by B'alam Nehn (Waterlily Jaguar), the seventh ruler (ajaw) of the southeastern Maya city (approximate date).source
• 507Emperor Anastasius I completes the strategic fortress at Dara (Northern Mesopotamia). He raises the city walls to 30 feet (10 m), disregarding Persian protests. Alarmed by the depredations of Slavs and Bulgars in Thrace, he builds the Anastasian Wall from the Black Sea to Propontis, across the narrow peninsula near Constantinople (modern Turkey).source
• 512The first written text in the Arabic alphabet is recorded at Zabad (Syria).source
• 520The construction of the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna, is started (approximate date).source
• 523The Songyue Pagoda is completed during the Northern Wei era; the circular-based tower is still 40 m (131 ft) in height.source
• 525The Arian baptistery of Santa Maria is built in Ripa (Rome).source
• 532First year in which the Anno Domini calendar is used for numbering the years.source
• 537Vitiges sets up seven camps, overlooking the main gates and access routes to the city, in order to starve it out. He blocks the Roman aqueducts that are supplying Rome with water, necessary both for drinking and for operating the corn mills.source
• 538Belisarius attacks the Goths when they have crossed the Milvian Bridge. After fierce resistance, Vitiges routs in panic, and many are slain or drowned in the river.source
• 550Construction of Quiriguá (Guatemala) begins (approximate date).source
• 557The Jiming Temple in Nanjing is built; the Buddhist pagoda is located near Xuanwu Lake.source
• 559First successful human flight: a kite carrying Yuan Huangtou lands in the proximity of Ye. Emperor Wen Xuan Di sponsors the flight; Yuan is taken prisoner; other imprisoned kite flyers also fly, but those die and Yuan survives. Yuan is executed afterwards.source
• 570The first mention is made of the Spear of Destiny (approximate date).source
• 570A limestone statue of Boddhisattva is created in Henan (approximate date).source
• 578Kongō Gumi, the world's oldest construction company (578–2006), is founded in Osaka (Japan).source
• 584Emperor Wéndi of the Sui dynasty organises the Grand Canal. He builds ships for transportation and grain stores are located at strategic points.source
• 590Gregory I begins a vigorous program of rebuilding aqueducts and restoring Rome. He feeds the citizens with doles of grain, as under Roman imperial rule.source
• 591The first city wall of Hangzhou (Eastern China) is constructed.source
• 595Construction begins on the Zhaozhou Bridge ("Safe crossing bridge") in Hebei Province, during the Sui dynasty (China).source