Description of Challenge
In addition to using stones for building, carving is a valuable source of revenue for the local economy. It is used to make sculptures for decoration, artistic statues and historical monuments, and it generates a sense of well-being for the carver. Stone is more durable than wood, and carvings in stone last much longer than wooden artifacts. Stone comes in many varieties and artists have abundant choices in color, quality and relative hardness.The knowledge and art of stone carving in Algeria has been transferred through countless generations. Most types of stone are easier to find than metal ores. Stone can be dug from the surface and carved with hand tools. Stone carving as an artistic form appears in many cultures and societies. It can be used as an artistic tool for community building and a source of revenue in the local economy.
Solution
The history of stone carving dates to periods of time that go back before recorded history. These civilizations are believed to have been very fascinating and astonishing races of people, e.g. The Mayans and the Egyptians. They built vast cities, majestic temples and palaces, filling them with their history and beliefs carved in stone. Some groups were known for their ceremonial centers and fortresses built of stone. The enormous, irregularly shaped stones, weighing many tons, were cut with such high precision that a razor blade can not be inserted between them.
The Mayans also used stone to express culture and beliefs. They were especially known for their pyramids.
The Egyptians are possibly the best known stone carvers. They built huge pyramids and used stone carving to express themselves in many ways. Art to the people of Egypt was not an abstract concept. The works of Egyptian artists and sculptors served practical purposes.
Every aspect of public and private life was involved with the pattern of religious belief. The statues and reliefs that decorate the temples, all carved in stone, represented this and linked the people with their gods. Stone tools started many societies, and the transfer of stone carving techniques into art and architecture was a natural progression that manifested in a variety of cultures globally.
The technique used for these first examples of stone carving was usually hitting or scratching a soft stone with another harder or sometimes with other resistant materials such as wood.
Before the discovery of steel, all stone sculptures were made using an abrasion technique, after a rough stone was cut from a block with a hammer.
Bronze was the hardest metal available until the arrival of the steel, but it was often not strong enough for carving. The development of iron made possible the creation of tools for stone carving, such as chisels, drills and saws made from steel, which could be hardened to become hard enough to cut stones without breaking.
Whatever carvings can be made, can be sold to raise the economy of the community. Scupltures that introduce a culture or a community can be put at the entrance of a village for identification. Houses can be carved to look more beautiful and most importantly it can be used to express the self.
