harvard bricks
During the medieval times, most bricks were made without molds. The clay was mixed with water in a shallow pit called a pug, until it reached the right consistency. Then it was cut into shape for bricks. The mixing was done with the feet. In later times, a horse was often hitched to a pole and walked in circles as another pole in the pug mixed the clay. After the bricks were shaped and sun-dried, they were stacked for firing. Wood was piled neatly all around the bricks and a fire was kept burning until the bricks were thoroughly baked. The outer bricks were often coal black and inner ones rich reds and oranges.