Linseed oil tech

["daedelus lanthanien" <daedeluslanthanien@zzzzzzzzzzz>]

Hello,
I had no idea that the stones were immerse in oil too. It would have to be a
graphiti artist's nightmare! I believe the mortar in this old system does
not need to "grab" the stone for strength like modern mortars. This type of
construction is so massive and the masons must have took great care building
their footings. The stone is superbly dressed in every picture I've seen,
and it all looks to be set just a tad weak from plumb. It just sits there
like the well fed monarch on the throne inside!
Every time I use the term "strong" or "weak" involving masonry it cracks me
up. When you build a wall weak it's strong, and when you build a wall strong
it's weak! Who in the world came up with that?
I forget who now, but one letter stated some thing about the oil being mixed
with mortar. That's not the case though, the oil actually is mixed with just
clean sand, it's the binder. This mixture is then rammed into the joint
using a hammer and a blunt set.

Have a good day, daed