"Therefore," Barsoum said, "it's very improbable that the outer and inner casing stones that we examined were chiseled from a natural limestone block." More startlingly, Barsoum and another of his ...

Limestone, found in the Hill Country and much ... in the 19th century was arduous to say the least. Split-faced, hand-chiseled stones were quarried by simple equipment and sheer physical labor ...

Air pollution and acid rain had taken a toll on the chiseled limestone, rooftop sculpture and mosaics and marble floors of the elegant balcony. The building is home to ballet and dance ...