Masonry is a term used to refer to the construction of structures using brick, stone, or other materials held together by mortar. The practice of masonry dates back thousands of years, with evidence of stone walls and buildings dating back to the Neolithic period.
One of the earliest known masonry structures is the Great Pyramid of Giza, which was built in ancient Egypt around 2560 BC. Masonry also played a significant role in the construction of many ancient Greek and Roman buildings, such as the Colosseum and the Parthenon.
During the Middle Ages, masonry continued to be an important construction method, with the building of castles, cathedrals, and other structures across Europe. Masonry guilds were established to regulate the profession and ensure the quality of work.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, masonry became more industrialized, with the use of machines to produce bricks and the development of new techniques for cutting and shaping stone. Masonry also played a significant role in the development of the United States, with many important buildings, such as the White House and the Capitol Building, constructed using masonry techniques.
Today, masonry continues to be an important construction method, used in the building of everything from homes to skyscrapers. The use of modern materials and technologies has led to new techniques and approaches to masonry, but the basic principles of the craft remain largely unchanged.