Since man had the ability to make and use tools, stonemasonry has existed. This meticulous craft of shaping rocks into precise geometrical shapes and arranging them accurately has created many historical structures that still stand today, such as the Taj Mahal and the Egyptian Pyramids.
The process of stonemasonry has not changed much over the centuries. In fact the biggest difference is that the masons of old worked mostly by eye, while today they use many tools, including computer programs, to ensure proper measurement. Other differences can be seen in the tools the craftsmen use. Back in Norman times, axes were used in place of the chisel.
Stonemasonry is one of the earliest crafts in civilization’s history. Unfortunately, the ancient skills that built some of the world’s most magnificent churches, monuments, sculptures, and homes are now dying out. In medieval times, unions of stonemasons were commonplace. Now, with modern building practices and the varying materials available for use, the craft is exceedingly in short supply, largely due to the fact that as things began to shift in the global economy, artificial and cultured stone became more cost-effective and time-efficient.
The most reliable test of stonemasonry’s longevity is to look at any monument or heritage structure in the world––such as France’s Chartres Cathedral, and Italy’s Roman Coliseum, all of which were constructed with the craft of stonemasonry. These structures were built centuries ago and are still standing today.
Masonry has a useful life of 500 years when compared to structures made of steel or reinforced concrete, whose lifecycle can be anywhere between 30 to 100 years.
When Europeans settlers spread to other continents they brought the stonemasonry techniques of their respective homelands with them. Settlers used what materials were available, and in some areas stone was the material of choice. In the first waves, building mimicked that of Europe, to eventually be replaced by unique architecture later on. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries stonemasonry saw its most radical changes in the way work was accomplished. Prior to the 1850’s, most heavy work was carried out with the aid of draft animals or hired labour. The arrival of steam power and subsequently the internal combustion engine meant that many of the harder aspects of the trade were simplified but the Master Mason’s skill and ability to carve and shape stone remains substantially unchanged.