Adobe
A building material made from earth and organic materials
Real World Example
Adobe was a crucial building material used by ancient civilizations in the Americas, such as the Ancestral Puebloans and the Aztecs, due to its availability and practicality. Made from earth, water, and organic materials like straw, adobe bricks were dried in the sun and used to construct durable homes and communal buildings. This material was important because it allowed people to build stable structures in areas where other resources like wood or stone were scarce. Today, adobe still influences eco-friendly building practices, as modern architects use similar techniques to create sustainable homes. For instance, in New Mexico, some people choose adobe-style homes because they stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter, showcasing the timeless value of natural building methods.