Stonemasons' Marks on Buildings in Britain: Origins, meanings and purpose

Masons' marks, ciphers made by stonemasons on building fabric, have been used for over 4,000 years for practical reasons and as a mechanism for transmitting instruction. This is the first book on the subject, providing a historical overview and analysis of non-literate forms of communication in the stone-building industry. The study of these marks offers innovative ways to understand the construction of buildings and the working methods of medieval stonemasons. The book is aimed at academic architectural historians, professionals engaged with the historic built environment, and students of architectural history. It will also appeal to owners and guardians of historic buildings, Freemasons, and the general reader interested in the means by which great buildings were constructed. Recording of masons' marks has been undertaken in Europe, including Scandinavia, and the book has an international appeal.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 300 pages
\n Publication date: 01 January 2021
\n Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd
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Masons' marks, the intricate ciphers etched onto the fabric of buildings by skilled stonemasons, serve practical purposes and have been in use for over 4,000 years. Throughout much of this time, these marks remained outside the realm of literacy, functioning as a means of transmitting instruction that, while straightforward in execution, draws upon a sophisticated system of visual signs employed more widely elsewhere. This groundbreaking book is the first to delve into this subject, offering a comprehensive historical overview as well as an in-depth analysis. It establishes the origins and showcases the evolution of non-literate communication systems within the stone-building industry. While the focus primarily lies in British buildings, examples are drawn from various regions to broaden and enrich the debate. By employing methodologies developed from archaeology, the study of these marks provides innovative insights into the construction of buildings and the working methods of medieval stonemasons. Beyond the medieval era, this book represents a novel approach to the study of country houses in Britain, demonstrating the potential of marks as a powerful methodology for uncovering new information about the construction techniques of houses and industrial buildings. This book is tailored for academic architectural historians, professionals actively involved in the preservation and conservation of the historic built environment, including archaeologists working on standing buildings of historical significance, and conservation architects. It will also be valuable to undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled in courses in architectural history, and it will hold appeal to owners, guardians, and members of organizations such as English Heritage, the National Trust, and Freemasons' Lodges.

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Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781409421290\n \n