A Short History of the Use of Lime as a Building Material Beyond Europe and North America

TLDR

Lime has been used in construction for at least 10,000 years, yet scholarly attention has largely concentrated on its historical and archaeological role in Europe and the Near East. This study compiles a historical overview of lime as a building material in China, India, Africa, and Central and South America from available literature. The analysis shows that lime’s functional evolution—from small‑scale domestic coatings to broader societal use—mirrors technological progress across regions, with similar material characteristics and applications despite differing chronologies.

Abstract

The use of lime in building construction began at least 10,000 years ago, with debated evidence of earlier uses. The focus of academic research to date has been on historical and archaeological use of lime in Europe and the Near East. This work is an attempt to provide a summary of the history of lime as a building material in China, India, Africa, and Central and South America, based on available literature resources. Patterns of functional evolution suggest beginnings in small-scale, domestic surface coating evolving later to more widespread use linked to societal development in the regions considered. Commonalities exist in material characteristics and usage between different societies, linked to technological progress rather than absolute chronology.