The reason for this picture is the thin line up from the bottom of the cliffs of the Gorge. That was a road over which the population travelled during the flood season. It was carved out of the rock face by hand. It is reputed that the local nobility were carried along this road in their palanquins. I'm sure that the carriers were well vetted before being given this opportunity to say 'oops' as the chair goes over the side.

I'm always in awe of the capabilities of sufficient manpower over time with even the most primitive tools. Like Egypt, Greece, Rome, China has telling monuments to the use and abuse of the peasents by those in power. Somehow I doubt that those drilling and hammering there way through that rock face were given time off, payment, or even good food.