What was cyclopean masonry, and where was it used in ancient Athens?

Cyclopean masonry is an ancient construction technique characterized by the use of enormous, irregular blocks of stone fitted together without the use of mortar. This method was primarily employed in fortifications, as the use of massive stones minimized the number of joints, thereby reducing potential structural weaknesses in the walls. The term derives from Greek mythology, as ancient observers believed such monumental feats could only have been achieved by the Cyclopes, a race of giants.123

In ancient Athens, this technique was used to build a massive fortification wall around the top of the Acropolis during the Late Bronze Age, specifically around 1200 BCE. At that time, the Acropolis served as the city's citadel. The construction of this wall is traditionally associated with the unification of the 12 towns of Attica under Athenian leadership, an event attributed to the hero Theseus.4