100 years later in 7,300BC, Jericho (Turkey) Neolithic bricks were getting closer in dimensions to our contemporary bricks at 400 x 150 x 100. Made from Varve Clay, found on the riverbeds and lakes, the material consisted of hydrated silicates of aluminium. (A typical contemporary brick is made of a mix of silica, Alumina, lime, iron oxide, magnesia, Sulphur trioxide and water.) The Jordan bricks are the oldest resembling our bricks, but there is great evidence that bricks were being developed throughout Europe, Northern Africa and China around the same period.
To mark its 100th birthday, Brickworks has released a publication, 100 Years of Bowral Bricks, documenting the significant milestones in Bowral Bricks rich and diverse history. We recap on the history of bricks.