Ashlar
A highly finished, precisely cut block of stone. When laid in even courses, ashlar masonry creates a uniform face with fine joints. Often used as a facing on the visible exterior of a building, especially as a veneer for the fa�ade. Also called Dressed st
Buon fresco
a painting technique in which water-based pigments are applied to a plaster surface. If the plaster is painted when wet, the color is absorbed by the plaster, becoming a permanent part of the wall. (Buon Fresco)
Corbel vaults
Vaults made by projecting courses of stone; corbel/corbeling is a roofing and arching technique in which each course of stone projects slightly beyond the previous layer (a corbel) until the uppermost corbels meet.
course
a horizontal layer of stone used in building.
Cyclopean
A method of construction using huge blocks of rough-hewn stone. Any large-scale, monumental building project that impresses by sheer size. Named after the Cyclops, one-eyed giants of legendary strength in Greek myths.
Dressed stone
Another term for Ashlar.
Filigree
Delicate, lacelike ornamental work.
Fresco secco
is created by painting on dried plaster, and the color may eventually flake off. (ex: some murals)
Granulation
A technique of decoration, in which metal granules or tiny metal balls, are fused onto a metal surface.
Krater
An ancient Greek vessel for mixing wine and water, with many sibtypes that each have a distinctive shape.
Calyx krater
a bell-shaped vessel with handles near the base that resembles a flower calyx.
Volute krater
a krater with handles shaped like scrolls.
Rhyton
A vessel in the shape of a figure or an animal, used for drinking or pouring liquids on special occasions.
Shaft graves
A deep pit used for burial.
Tholos (beehive) tombs
A small round building that is sometimes built underground, an example would be a Mycenaean tomb.