What term describes the technique of building with rectangular cut stones laid in regular, even courses?

• A. See-through material colored and often found in religious buildings
• B. The name of cut stone construction
• C. Ashlar masonry
• D. Well-preserved ancient Roman temple with the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome

Answer: (C)

Ashlar masonry refers to building with rectangular cut stones laid in regular, even courses. Each block is dressed with flat faces and true edges, so the stones fit together neatly and the rows align in a precise horizontal grid. This creates a smooth, orderly surface that signals careful workmanship and a refined aesthetic. It’s a hallmark of classical and Renaissance architecture, used for prominent façades and interior walls to convey strength and clarity. In contrast, rubble masonry uses irregular, uncut stones and looks rough and informal. Some variants of ashlar keep the clean faces but emphasize the edges or joints for texture, known as rusticated ashlar. The other options describe stained glass, a vague “cut stone construction,” or a specific building rather than the technique of using uniformly cut stones in even courses.