With the appearance of agriculture in...
With the appearance of agriculture in the Mediterranean area, dry and rocky terrains gave rise to dry stone construction techniques for to different uses. Dry stone construction originated in the Middle East, the birthplace of many cultures, and subsequently due to migration and various population movements spread throughout the Mediterranean. Dry stone buildings are those which use only dry stone without any other materials such as cement, plaster etc, although sometimes we can find clay or earth in the joints. The main feature is that the stones, which can vary in size depending of the type of construction, stand alone thanks to how they have been placed by the builder. It’s logical that the stones used weren’t too big. There were taken from the same area and moved by one person.
The boundaries
Usually, during the process of preparing the farms the land had to be prepared and made suitable for cultivation. Clearing scrub and removing rubble and breaking
down large rocks that prevented cultivation. All of these materials would be saved for later use on the boundary walls. The borders or dry stone walls are built to form the slopes and terraces and therefore gain cultivable land which was previously prevented by the slopes. These walls slow the run off of rainwater and retain moisture and prevent erosion. Borders are simple constructions and the most common heritage of dry stone.
The barracks
These structures are built solely of stone, both the walls and ceiling. The front is completely open, giving access to the inside, while the back wall and sides are completely closed. There are different models: square or rectangular, or circular types. The stones are chosen and used according to their size and shape in the different areas that make up the structure. For the roof flat stones are used, or slates, which are arranged in a dome form, which is then sealed with a final slab. These buildings are used for the storage of farming tools, fruit or as a refuge.
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