Ancient history

What did soldiers use to destroy buildings?

Explosives

- Dynamite - a high explosive composed of nitroglycerin, wood pulp, and diatomaceous earth

- Gunpowder - an explosive mixture composed of saltpeter (potassium nitrate), charcoal, and sulfur

- TNT (trinitrotoluene) - a powerful explosive used in demolition and military operations

Incendiary weapons

- Napalm - a gasoline-based incendiary weapon that sticks to surfaces and burns intensely

- White phosphorus - a chemical incendiary agent that reacts with oxygen to produce intense heat and light

- Thermite - an incendiary mixture of aluminum powder and iron oxide that burns at extremely high temperatures

Mechanical means

- Wrecking ball - a heavy ball of steel or concrete suspended on a cable or chain and used to demolish buildings

- Bulldozer - a powerful tracked vehicle with a large blade used to clear land and demolish buildings

- Excavator - a construction machine with a digging bucket on the end of a long arm, used to demolish buildings by tearing them down