stonemasonry

Stonemasonry is the craft of shaping and assembling natural stone for construction and decorative work. It includes quarrying, dressing, cutting, carving, setting, and finishing stone used in buildings, bridges, walls, monuments, and landscape features. Stones are selected for properties such as strength, density, durability, and workability; common varieties include limestone, sandstone, granite, marble, and slate. Stone can be used as ashlar (cut, squared blocks laid in regular courses), rubble (rough or irregular pieces), or in dry stone construction (no mortar). Mortared masonry typically uses lime-based mortars in historic work and cementitious mortars in modern practice.

Techniques and tools encompass block cutting with chisels and pitched tools, shaping with point and tooth chisels, hammering, and meticulous setting to achieve precise joints. Mortar joints vary in depth and profile, and bonding patterns—for example, running, raked, or transverse joints—contribute to strength and appearance. Special finishes include smooth facing, fluting, or carving.

Historically, stonemasonry has been central to antiquity and the medieval and classical architecture. Stone was quarried, transported, and worked by skilled tradesmen such as masons and carvers. Notable traditions developed in Egypt, Greece, Rome, and later in Gothic and Renaissance Europe. In the modern era, stonemasonry continues in restoration, monumental sculpture, and high-end construction, combining traditional methods with powered tools and modern safety standards.

Conservation and maintenance address weathering, frost action, and mortar deterioration through repointing, patching, or, when necessary, stone replacement with matched material. The craft remains valued for durability, aesthetic, and historical significance.