Bricks are among the oldest construction materials known. The raw materials needed to make them are found almost everywhere, and the method of making them is very simple. The Sumerians were using plano-convex bricks, flat on one side and curved on the other, as early as 4000 B.C.. Brickwork at Ur showed traits of sophistication, included corbeled vaulting. At the time bricks were often stamped with the names of their makers.

Brick-making spread to Persia, India, China, Greece, and eventually to most of the world. In some areas, such as Egypt, stone was reserved for official buildings and the homes of the privileged, while sun-dried brick was used in common construction. In other areas, brick was preferred for the officials while wood and other less permanent materials were left to the commoners. Sun-dried brick was adequate as long as there was no danger of destructive rains. Even so...