How to build a trap to last the ages?

While considering Ancient Light Trigger Mechanism, it occurred to me that any ancient trap mechanism is unlikely to work very long without regular maintenance. It seems far too easy for dust to clog the triggering mechanism, or for animals to burrow close enough to the hidden mechanisms to disrupt them, and for any organic materials to rot.

How do I design a trap to last the ages? My (eventually) ancient ruin isn't going to protect itself without them!

The traps need to:

• pose a legitimate threat - a dart-shooting trap that has lost most of its strength and shoots a dart without enough force to penetrate skin is a no-go.
• be reliable - a practically unavoidable trap that causes injury is better than an easily avoidable trap that kills you.
• last as long as possible - a broken trap isn't really a trap at all.
• bonus: being able to use the trap more than once

I'm going to open this up to all levels of technology - I'm curious to see if someone can figure out how to do this with ancient technology, but this seems like it could be challenging to modern technology as well.

posted over 6 years ago

Rob Watts‭

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