The historical journey of construction also tells the story of humanity. The enduring examples from the past reveal insights into their specific contexts, and the remnants that have survived the elements and decay narrate the development of human technology. In the early days of construction, the common (and often the only) practice available to humans was to use locally available raw materials. For many, this meant building with clay.
Since the development of more durable construction techniques and resistant materials allowing for varied formal compositions, building with earth has become more associated with traditional, historical, ecological, or social contexts, particularly in rural settings. In any case, in Brazil, earthen construction systems date back to colonization and the resulting cultural blending. The construction process using rammed earth is one of the most well-known and can be considered to have two variations: hand-rammed earth or rammed earth with a mold.
