Stone sculpture stone carving. Alabaster and softer kinds of serpentine, all about 3 on the Mohs scale, are more durable than soapstone. Alabaster, in particular, has long been cherished for its translucence. Limestone and sandstone, at about 4 on the Mohs scale, are the only sedimentary stones commonly carved. Limestone comes in a popular oolitic variety, about twice as hard as alabaster, that is excellent for carving. The harder serpentines can also reach 4 on the Mohs scale. Marble, travertine, and onyx are at about 6 on the Mohs scale. Marble has been the preferred stone for sculptors in the European tradition
Trullo (from the Greek word "τρούλος", cupola) refers to a house whose internal space is covered by a dry stone corbelled or keystone vault. "Trullo" is an italianized form of the dialectal term, "truddu", used in a specific area of the Salentine peninsula (i.e. Lizzaio, Maruggio and Avetrana, in other words, outside the "Murgia dei Trulli" proper) where it is the name of the local agricultural dry stone hut. "Trullo" has replaced the local term "casedda" (pl. "casedde") (Italian "casella", pl. "caselle") which was used by locals in the Murgia to call this type of house. A stonemason specializing in the