Stone
Stone is any naturally occurring solid mass or aggregate of minerals or mineraloid matter, often also referred to as rock.[1] Due to its hardness, it became a common building material, resource, and trade good throughout human history. While some small stones could be used for buildings, often times a special type of mine known as a quarry was built to facilitate the removal of large building materials.
Trade
Those working with stone were commonly called stonemasons.[2]
History
Classical antiquity
In the 5th century BCE, stone was commonly quarried to build houses, statues, and temples such as the Akropolis of Athens.[3]
Given Egypt's climate and the deserts ruling the landscape, stone was a common commodity used to build large temples and even the Pyramids.[4]
In Rome, people used stone to engineer massive aqueducts and impressive features such as the Colosseum.[5]
Middle Ages
Throughout the medieval era, stone was a valuable resource. In the early middle ages, Irish used stone to build Ringforts.[6] Stones helped form defensive walls and eventually castles such as Alamut.[7]
Early Modern Era
During the Seven Years War in the Americas, stone continued to be traded and was even used by Shay Cormac to help restore some buildings throughout New York.[8]
Behind the scenes
Crafting
Stone is used as a crafting material across several Assassin's Creed games.