Dictionary of Islamic Architecture   Coral Coral is used as a building material for coastal settlements throughout the Indian Ocean, Arabian/ Persian Gulf and the Red Sea. Definition Two main types of coral stone are used for construction: fossil coral quarried from the coastal foreshore, and reef coral which is cut live from the sea bed. Fossil corals are more suitable for load-bearing walls whilst reef corals such as porites are more suitable for architectural features such as door-jambs or mihrab niches. Fossil corals are mostly from an order of coral known as Rugosa which is now extinct. When quarried this coral forms rough uneven blocks known as coral rag. Although this can be... [more] See also Bahrain; East Africa; Maldives; Qatar; Saudi Arabia; Sudan Related ArchNet Materials   Images IAA1987 A traditional building constructed... Search Alphabetically A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Legal Notes Contact ArchNet