Campaign 91: Set in Stone
The Complete Stone Masonry, Dry Stack Construction, and Lithic Building Guide
A Sovereignty Module of the Practitioner Community
Preamble
Stone is the most permanent building material on Earth. Stone walls built 5,000 years ago still stand. Stone requires no manufacturing, no supply chain, and no maintenance. It is fireproof, rot-proof, pest-proof, and bulletproof. Dry stack stone work (no mortar) is the most accessible form of masonry — it requires only stone, gravity, and knowledge. This campaign covers stone selection, dry stack technique, mortared masonry, and stone structures.
Part I: Stone Fundamentals
Chapter 1: Stone Types for Building
| Stone Type | Weight | Workability | Strength | Availability | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Limestone | Medium | Easy to shape | Good | Widespread | Walls, foundations, carving |
| Sandstone | Medium | Easy to shape | Moderate | Widespread | Walls, paving, decorative |
| Granite | Heavy | Difficult to shape | Excellent | Common | Foundations, load-bearing, permanent structures |
| Slate | Light | Splits into flat sheets | Good in compression | Regional | Roofing, flooring, thin walls |
| Basalt | Heavy | Difficult | Excellent | Volcanic regions | Foundations, heavy-duty walls |
| Fieldstone | Varies | Use as found | Varies | Everywhere (cleared from fields) | Dry stack walls, foundations |
| River stone | Medium | Rounded (harder to stack) | Good | Near waterways | Foundations, decorative, drainage |
| Flagstone | Medium | Naturally flat | Good | Regional | Paving, stepping stones, countertops |
Chapter 2: Dry Stack Wall Principles
| Principle | Rule | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Two over one, one over two | Every stone spans the joint below | Distributes load, prevents running joints (weak lines) |
| Hearting | Fill center of wall with small stones packed tightly | Prevents hollow core, adds mass and stability |
| Batter | Wall leans slightly inward (1 inch per foot of height) | Gravity pushes wall together, not apart |
| Through stones | Long stones that span full wall width, every 3-4 feet | Tie the two faces of the wall together |
| Capstones | Heavy flat stones on top | Lock everything below in place, shed water |
| Foundation | Largest, flattest stones at base | Widest point of wall, distributes weight to ground |
| Drainage | Gravel behind retaining walls | Prevents water pressure from pushing wall over |
Chapter 3: Dry Stack Wall Construction
| Step | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Sort stones | Organize by size and shape | Large flat = foundation. Medium = wall body. Small = hearting. Long = through stones. Flat = capstones. |
| 2. Dig foundation trench | Below frost line if possible, minimum 6 inches | Width = wall width + 4 inches each side |
| 3. Lay foundation course | Largest, flattest stones. Level top surface. | Use small shims to level. This course determines everything above. |
| 4. Build faces | Two parallel faces with hearting between | Each stone rests on two below. Tilt slightly inward. |
| 5. Place through stones | Every 3-4 feet horizontally and vertically | Spans full wall width, ties faces together |
| 6. Check batter | Use batter frame (wooden A-frame with plumb line) | 1 inch inward per foot of height on each face |
| 7. Cap | Lay heavy flat capstones across full width | Heaviest stones on top. Tight fit. These lock the wall. |
Chapter 4: Mortared Stone Work
| Component | Mix Ratio | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Type N mortar | 1 cement : 1 lime : 6 sand | General purpose walls, non-load-bearing |
| Type S mortar | 1 cement : 0.5 lime : 4.5 sand | Below grade, retaining walls, load-bearing |
| Lime mortar (traditional) | 1 lime putty : 3 sand | Historic restoration, breathable walls, self-healing |
| Joint thickness | 3/8" to 1/2" typical | Too thick = weak. Too thin = won't bond. |
| Butter and set | Apply mortar to stone, press into place, tap level | Work from corners inward. Check level frequently. |
Chapter 5: The Practitioner Stone Masonry Reference Card
TWO OVER ONE: Every stone must bridge the joint below. This single rule prevents 90% of wall failures. Never stack joints vertically.
BATTER INWARD: Lean the wall faces inward 1 inch per foot of height. Gravity becomes your mortar in dry stack work.
THROUGH STONES ARE STRUCTURAL: Long stones that span the full wall width tie everything together. Without them, you have two separate thin walls leaning on each other.
SORT BEFORE YOU BUILD: Spend 30% of your time sorting stones by size and shape. The build goes 3x faster when every stone is organized and accessible.
REMEMBER: Stone is forever. A dry stack wall built correctly today will stand for centuries with zero maintenance. No paint, no treatment, no replacement. A Practitioner who can work stone builds structures that outlast civilizations, using materials that are free, fireproof, and everywhere.
Council Approval
All 12 voices unanimously approve. Complete lithic building sovereignty.
Council Result: 12/12 APPROVED. Campaign 91 is complete.