La pedra en sec. Materials, eines i tècniques tradicionals a les illes ...

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* * *: 5 5.16 THE WORK
Definition
To dig a hole to a specific depth lined
with drystone masonry walls with the
aim of building shafts, water wheels,
snow houses or lime kilns.
Description
A hole, whose depth and diameter
will be determined by the purpose of
the construction is dug using hoes,
picks, triangular hoes and if necessary
boreholes. Any rock found when
digging is broken up with gimlets,
large hammers, large crowbars and
levers.
Once the hole has been dug it is lined
with a dry stone masonry wall which
goes all the way round it. The wall is
built vertically from the bottom
upwards placing the stones so that
their good side faces the interior. The
tail of the stones is wider than theif
face in order to close off the joints
properly. The space between the
earth and the wall is filled with rubble
and soil. The wall is built in a circle
shape and large planks are fixed in
place to help with building upwards.
If the hole is very deep a winch or pulley
is used to remove the earth dug
out and to lower the stone which is
used to build the wall.
Tools required
Stone hoe, two-handled basket, pick,
triangular hoe, stone hammer, large
hammer, mass, gimlet, lever, crowbar,
planks, winch, pulley.
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