course

…joints were needed for regular course lines. Bricks became nearly standardized at something close to the present size, about 20.3 × 9.5 × 5.7 centimeters (8 × 3.75 × 2.25 inches), and bonding systems based on this approximately 2:1 proportion were developed. These bonding patterns reduced continuous vertical mortar joints,…

…that the laying of successive courses of masonry was accomplished with earth or mud brick ramps, over which the stones were dragged to their places in the walls by animal and human muscle power. Later, as the ramps were removed, they served as platforms for the masons to apply the…