The use of marble stone for countertops is nothing new. In fact, marble has been used for decoration and for functional purposes for thousands of years.
In the beginning, marble could only be seen in public, religious, and government buildings because the stone was expensive and difficult to quarry. But now you can see marble countertops in homes across the United States and all over the world.
But how did marble make its way from only being used in major, important buildings to being so widely available? What group of people were the first to use it? Check out this article to find the answers.
Marble throughout History
The Greeks were the first people to use marble for their structures. They completed the temple of Olympus, the Theseus Temple, and sections of the Parthenon with marble. Back then, marble countertops were not a thing. Instead, marble was cut into big slabs used for flooring, sculptures, and wall facades.
Before they used marble, the Greek people used wood to construct important buildings. But after they realized that wood didn’t have the same lasting power that stone did, they sought a new solution. As its use increased, the quarrying methods for marble became easier, and therefore, its price lowered. Because of that, it began to appear in the homes of Greek and Roman people.
But still, marble was only used in the bathroom and main rooms meant for conducting business, as it was a known sign of wealth.
Throughout the Renaissance and Victorian era, marble continued to signify wealth. It didn’t exist on a widespread scale yet.
Marble in the Kitchen
The big question is how we got from temples and opulent homes to where we are with marble today. The answer comes during the nineteenth century.
Before then, kitchens were strictly utilitarian. They were meant for cooking only; they weren’t a place to sit or gather. Instead, the food would be taken from the kitchen, where it had been made, into a dining area that was more well-dressed.
But, in the nineteenth century, Gilded-Age Americans had more money to spend. That meant they could outfit their homes plentifully, even the rooms that didn’t traditionally get much public use. It was during this time that marble entered the kitchen, and its cool surface was especially favored for rolling out dough and lining pantry shelves to keep perishables cool.
Marble in Your Home
Since quarrying methods have been greatly improved and transportation costs have been cut considerably, marble can be found in homes across the nation—no matter the homeowner’s wealth.
As you can see, you don’t have to be a Greek or Roman emperor to enjoy this natural stone. If you’re ready to join the millions of people with beautiful marble countertops in their kitchen, give Marble Granite World a call today at (336) 992-5214.