masonry

The craft of constructing stonework walls. The various styles of masonry include random rubblework, irregular stones arranged according to fit; coursed rubblework, irregular stones placed in broad horizontal bands, or courses; ashlar masonry, smooth, square-cut stones arranged in courses; Cyclopean masonry, large polygonal stones cut to fit each other; and rustification, large stones separated by deep joints and chiselled or hammered into a variety of styles. Rustification is usually employed at the base of buildings, on top of an ashlar base, to give an appearance of added strength.