4 ANCIENT MASONRY CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES

Question 1

(first half) examples of masonry techniques

Answer 1

1. Folded stone corners
2. Multi-facetted stones
3. Metal ‘Block-ties’
4. Quarry marks - (Splitting stone)
5. Moving large stones
6. Extreme masonry

Question 2

(second half) examples of masonry techniques:

Answer 2

7. Vitrified Stone (Vitrification)
8. Maneuvering Protuberances
9. Mortise and tenon joins
10. Concrete in Ancient Structures
11. Drilling in Prehistory
12. The Specific Selection of Stone

Question 3

This masonry technique several structures show the blocks cut with an internal angle, so as to ‘fold’ the stone around corners.

Answer 3

Folded Corners

Question 4

Example of a structure that uses folded corner masonry technique.

Answer 4

1. Valley-Temple, Ghiza, Egypt
2. Luxor, Egypt
3. Machu Pichu, Peru

Question 5

These three masonry techniques are often suggested that their design feature was incorporated into constructions as an ‘earthquake’ preventative.

Answer 5

• Folded Corners
• Multi-facetted Stones
• Metal Block-Ties

Question 6

This masonry technique is polygonal that follows neither vertical nor horizontal planes, a process which would have required a considerably higher level of technical skill.

Answer 6

Multi Facetted Stones

Question 7

Example of a structure which uses Multi Facetted Stone masonry technique.

Answer 7

• Ahu Platforms in Easter Island
• Inca Masonry of South America
• Valley-temple, Ghiza, Egypt

Question 8

In this masonry technique, it is believed that copper (or silver) was used at Tiahuanaco (below), both of which are soft metals.

Answer 8

Metal Block-Ties

Question 9

Examples of structures that uses Metal Block-Ties masonry technique

Answer 9

1. Old-Word (Egypt and Cambodia)
   - Angkor Watt
   - Karnak
   - Denderra
2. New-World
   - Tiahuanaco
   - Ollantaytambo

Question 10

The megalithic builders employed the same method of splitting quartz, at different locations all around the world.

Answer 10

Quarry-Marks (for splitting stone)

Question 11

This masonry technique is probably the best method and is still widely used today.

Answer 11

Quarry-Marks

Question 12

Example of structures that used Quarry-Marks masonry technique.

Answer 12

• Machu Pichu
• Cuzco
• Menkaure
• Aswan
• Carnac
• Castleruddery

Question 13

This masonry technique is generally assumed to have functioned as ‘hitching points’ for maneuvering the blocks into place.

Answer 13

Maneuvering Protuberances

Question 14

The smoothing process in maneuvering protuberances was achieved with the use of _______ which were able to pound the softer granite.

Answer 14

Dolerite mauls

Question 15

Examples of structures that used Maneuvering Protuberances masonry technique

Answer 15

Osireion
Ollantaytambo