(livescience.com)

WHy Dry Stone?

Our Species has been carefully quarrying, trimming, and placing stones to build a variety of different works without the use of mortar.

We can look at the Great Pyramids and Machu Picchu in Peru. These structures have stood tall and proud for thousands of years. Not because they were glued together with mortar, but because they followed certain principals.

Traditional dry Stone Walling

Around 3000 years ago modern civilization build dry stone walls as borders for their properties or as enclosure for livestock. Over generations the craft turned to an art and we still practice the same principals.

· Length of the stone into the wall

· Place each stone level

· Each stone breaks a joint below

· Pack the inside of the wall tightly

· Build with a batter

When these principles are met the wall functions properly, using weight and friction to hold together.