The history of brick: the fundamental unit of western architecture

raw bricks

The invention of bricks changed the destiny of men. In the evolution of architecture, we can find raw bricks already about 6000 yars a.D. They have been used in the construction of babylonian tower (till 16 meters high).

These raw bricks were made with raw clay mixed with straw, shaped in special moulds and dehydrated with sun and air, but they were very brittle and low resistant.

The idea to cook bricks in tilery comes from the roman empire. Cooked bricks were extremely long-lasting and weather resistant. This invention made possible the creation of particular western medieval architecture as arches, bears, roofings and pavements, and the construction of amphitheaters, aqueducts and thermal baths.