मृत्तिकाशिला - Mrittikāshilā (Mud Brick) | Inheritage Foundation Art & Architecture Thesaurus | Inheritage Foundation

Title	मृत्तिकाशिला - Mrittikāshilā (Mud Brick) मृत्तिकाशिला Mrittikāshilā
Description	Mrittikāshilā (Mud Brick) is a sun-dried brick composed of clay, silt, and sometimes straw. Used extensively in ancient structures, its compressive strength ranges from 2-5 MPa, with a density of 1600-1800 kg/m³. High porosity makes it susceptible to erosion.
Tags	कच्चा इष्टिका Kacchā Ishtikā Mud Brick Adobe Sun-Dried Earthen कच्चा ईंट Kacchā Īnt Clay Sun-dried Unfired कच्ची ईंट Kacchi Īnt Kacchī Īnt मृत्तिका इष्टिका Mrittika Ishtika मृत्तिका Mrittika Mud Brick Mrittikā Mrittikā Ishtikā Unfired Clay Earthen Architecture Earthen Construction Earthen construction Thermal Insulation Mr̥ttikā Mr̥ttikā Iṣṭikā Fired मृत्तिकाशिला Mrittikāshilā Erosion
Material ID	`INHFMAT-882049797-20-11-25-MI`
URI	https://www.inheritage.foundation/aat/material/mud-brick
API Endpoint	`https://inheritage.foundation/api/v1/aat/materials/mud-brick`
Total Sites	1
Primary Sites	1
Created	November 20, 2025
Last Updated	November 20, 2025

Material Types

Types	Earthen Material Unfired Clay Composite Material Ceramic

Regions

Regions	Rajasthan Gujarat Punjab Khatlon Region, Tajikistan Indo-Gangetic Plain Haryana Uttar Pradesh

Historical Context

Time Periods	Indus Valley Civilization Early Historic Period Early Medieval Period Bronze Age Indus Valley Civilization (3300-1700 BCE) Mauryan Period (322-185 BCE) 3rd century BCE Medieval Period CE 3rd millennium BCE 3300-1700 BCE (Indus Valley Civilization) Gupta Period Mauryan Period
Dynasties	Indus Valley Civilization Regional Kingdoms Regional kingdoms Pre-Kushan Local Dynasties Rajput Kingdoms Mauryan Dynasty Gupta Dynasty Maurya Dynasty Gupta Empire Maurya Gupta Indo-Greek Kingdom Indus Valley Kushan Kushan Dynasty

Geographic Sources

Sources	Local clay deposits Agricultural fields Riverbanks Alluvial plains Local clay deposits near Takhti Sangin, mixed with straw from agricultural fields Alluvial soil deposits Riverbank clay Riverbeds Alluvial plains of the Indus and Ganges rivers Alluvial plains of river valleys Local clay deposits near settlements Local clay deposits near riverbeds Local clay pits Local soil deposits Local clay deposits along riverbeds Locally sourced clay deposits Local clay deposits along riverbanks

Sources

Local clay deposits

Agricultural fields

Riverbanks

Alluvial plains

Local clay deposits near Takhti Sangin, mixed with straw from agricultural fields

Alluvial soil deposits

Riverbank clay

Riverbeds

Alluvial plains of the Indus and Ganges rivers

Alluvial plains of river valleys

Local clay deposits near settlements

Local clay deposits near riverbeds

Local clay pits

Local soil deposits

Local clay deposits along riverbeds

Locally sourced clay deposits

Local clay deposits along riverbanks

Properties

Properties	Compressive strength: 2-5 MPa Water absorption: 20-30% Density: 1400-1800 kg/m³ Thermal conductivity: 0.4-0.6 W/mK Porosity: 25-35% Density: 1400-1600 kg/m³ Water absorption: 25-35% High thermal mass Density: 1.6-1.8 g/cm³ Thermal conductivity: 0.6-0.8 W/mK Density: 1500-1700 kg/m³ Compressive strength: 2-7 MPa Density: 1600-1800 kg/m³ Porosity: 20-30% Density: 1500-1800 kg/m³ Density: 1600-1900 kg/m³ Compressive strength (unfired): 0.5-1.5 MPa Compressive strength (fired): 2-5 MPa Density: 1600-2000 kg/m³ Water absorption: 15-25%

Compressive strength: 2-5 MPa

Water absorption: 20-30%

Density: 1400-1800 kg/m³

Thermal conductivity: 0.4-0.6 W/mK

Porosity: 25-35%

Density: 1400-1600 kg/m³

Water absorption: 25-35%

High thermal mass

Density: 1.6-1.8 g/cm³

Thermal conductivity: 0.6-0.8 W/mK

Density: 1500-1700 kg/m³

Compressive strength: 2-7 MPa

Density: 1600-1800 kg/m³

Porosity: 20-30%

Density: 1500-1800 kg/m³

Density: 1600-1900 kg/m³

Compressive strength (unfired): 0.5-1.5 MPa

Compressive strength (fired): 2-5 MPa

Density: 1600-2000 kg/m³

Water absorption: 15-25%

Common Uses

Uses	Non-load-bearing walls Infill material Temporary structures Infill Infill walls Rural housing Wall construction Vaulting in arid climates Vaulting Partition walls Roofing (in some cases) Wall construction in residential buildings Infill material in timber-framed structures Vaulting in arid regions Foundation in dry climates Vaulting (limited use) Roofing (with support) Vaulted roofs Paving

Related Materials

Materials	गोमय - Gomaya (Cow Dung) चूना - Chunā (Lime Mortar) मिट्टी - Mitti (Mud Plaster) मिट्टी का प्लास्टर - Mitti kā Plāstar (Mud Plaster) लकड़ी - Lakadee (Wood) मिट्टी का प्लास्टर - Mittī kā Plāstar (Mud Plaster) लकड़ी - Lakੜी (Wood) भूसा - Bhusa (Straw) भूसा - Bhūsā (Straw) तृण - Trina (Straw) Kāshtha (Wood) चूना - Chunā (Lime Wash) तृण - Tr̥ṇa (Straw) कषाय - Kashāya (Herbal Binders)

Materials

गोमय - Gomaya (Cow Dung)

चूना - Chunā (Lime Mortar)

मिट्टी - Mitti (Mud Plaster)

मिट्टी का प्लास्टर - Mitti kā Plāstar (Mud Plaster)

लकड़ी - Lakadee (Wood)

मिट्टी का प्लास्टर - Mittī kā Plāstar (Mud Plaster)

लकड़ी - Lakੜी (Wood)

भूसा - Bhusa (Straw)

भूसा - Bhūsā (Straw)

तृण - Trina (Straw)

Kāshtha (Wood)

चूना - Chunā (Lime Wash)

तृण - Tr̥ṇa (Straw)

कषाय - Kashāya (Herbal Binders)

Related Styles

Styles	Vernacular architecture Rural housing Vernacular architecture style Rural architecture style Rural architecture Early settlements Early Harappan architecture Early Buddhist architecture Indo-Islamic architecture Rural dwellings Early vernacular architecture Rural settlements Vernacular architecture of Rajasthan Indus Valley Civilization architecture Indo-Greek architecture

Related Categories

Categories	Village Rural Settlement Residential Agricultural Residential Buildings Village Structures Domestic architecture Agricultural structures Residential buildings Village structures Boundary Walls Village settlements Fortifications Stupas Rural settlements Boundary walls Rural structures Granaries Stupa Monastery Residential structures

Conservation Notes

Notes	Highly susceptible to erosion Requires regular replastering Vulnerable to water damage Protection from rain and flooding Highly susceptible to water damage and erosion Protection from rain and groundwater is crucial Protect from water damage Requires regular replastering with mud plaster Requires regular replastering with mud or lime plaster Protect from rising damp Highly susceptible to erosion by water and wind Vulnerable to insect infestation Protection from rising damp is crucial Requires regular replastering with mud or lime Highly susceptible to erosion and water damage Highly susceptible to water damage Erosion control is crucial Protect from moisture ingress Requires regular replastering with mud or lime wash Highly susceptible to erosion from rain and moisture Requires regular replastering with mud or lime-based renders Vulnerable to water damage and insect infestation Susceptible to water damage and erosion Requires protective plastering Salt efflorescence can cause disintegration Consolidation with earthen slurry

Notes

Highly susceptible to erosion
Requires regular replastering
Vulnerable to water damage
Protection from rain and flooding
Highly susceptible to water damage and erosion
Protection from rain and groundwater is crucial
Protect from water damage
Requires regular replastering with mud plaster
Requires regular replastering with mud or lime plaster
Protect from rising damp
Highly susceptible to erosion by water and wind
Vulnerable to insect infestation
Protection from rising damp is crucial
Requires regular replastering with mud or lime
Highly susceptible to erosion and water damage
Highly susceptible to water damage
Erosion control is crucial
Protect from moisture ingress
Requires regular replastering with mud or lime wash
Highly susceptible to erosion from rain and moisture
Requires regular replastering with mud or lime-based renders
Vulnerable to water damage and insect infestation
Susceptible to water damage and erosion
Requires protective plastering
Salt efflorescence can cause disintegration
Consolidation with earthen slurry

Recommended Sources

Title	Type	Notes
Earthen Architecture Conservation	Book	Conservation techniques for mud brick structures
Earthen Architecture Conservation	Book	Mud brick preservation
Earthen Architecture Conservation	Book	Conservation techniques for mud brick structures
Traditional Mud Architecture of India	Book	Construction techniques and material properties
Traditional Building Materials of India	Book	Mud brick construction techniques
Ancient Indian Bricks: A Study	Book	Composition and use of mud bricks
Ancient Indian Bricks: A Study	Book	Technical analysis of mud bricks
Ancient Indian Bricks: A Study in Archaeological Materials	Book	Composition and properties of mud bricks
Ancient Building Materials of the Indus Valley Civilization	Academic Paper	Composition and properties of mud bricks
Ancient Indian Bricks: A Study	Book	Composition and properties of mud bricks
Ancient Building Materials of the Indus Valley Civilization	Academic Journal	Analysis of mud brick composition and properties
Traditional Indian Building Materials and Techniques	Book	Mud brick manufacturing and application
Ancient Indian Bricks: A Study	Book	Details on composition and use

Heritage Sites (1)

Site Name	Status	Usage	Confidence
Zurmala Stupa Termez Uzbekistan	Primary		100%