In this project, are presented the origin of the stone building materials, the way in which the rocks originate and their properties. Three major categories of rocks, depending on how they are formed, the pygeneous, the sedimentary and the metamorphosed, respectively give three types of natural building materials.
The properties of building materials (physical-chemical-mechanical) are those that determine the choice and the use of a stone during the construction. So, this project is focused on the properties of each type of rock and which rock should be chosen depending the circumstances surrounding the construction.
The use of stone building materials has been recorded in antiquity and dates to the Paleolithic era. Over the years, building techniques using stone building materials have evolved, and the use of stone continues to be a leader in modern architecture. In particular, the development of the use of marble is presented because it was in ancient times (and also today) the most popular material and numerous marble monuments have been made.
Sebsequently are presented the extraction techniques. The extraction practice is an important factor in choosing a particular type of stone, because it affects the mechanical properties of the stone.
The evolution of rock mining slowed until the discovery of gunpowder. Since then, the use of explosives has increased the volume of material production and consequently the use of stones in the construction.
Finally, all the ancient quarries of the Region of Thessaly that have been identified by archeology, the type of produced rocks and their use are presented. Information is also provided on the current mining activity in the same region, and more specifically in the prefecture of Magnesia.