The oldest Amish homes stand on stone foundations without mortar. Dry stacking is older than Rome.
Principle
Each stone is selected by shape to fit tightly. Weight of upper stones presses down. Gravity is the only bond. The structure shifts during frost heave without cracking.
Stone Selection
Flat stones for courses. Long "tie" stones crosswise to bind. Small rubble fills gaps. Local stone — whatever's in the field goes into the foundation.
Drainage
30–40 cm gravel layer around the foundation. Grade soil outward. Without drainage, any foundation fails.
Advantages
Concrete cracks when soil shifts. Dry stone doesn't — stones resettle. Repair means swapping one stone. No mixer, no rebar, no 28-day curing wait.