Modern sculptors have access to new materials such as plastic and artificial stone, but ancient artisans worked in natural rock to create works of art. Humans use and used stones such as marble, alabaster, limestone, and granite — to name a few — to create impressive sculptural works. Some materials stand the test of time better than others — marble, for instance, is far more robust and lasting than sandstone. Stone carvings often outlast the cultures that created them, and many enjoy a place of cultural or religious importance. Whether ancient or modern, artists have sought the best rock for their art. The best stone for sculpting is easy to work, resists shattering and contains no apparent crystalline structure...
Basalt
Like granite, basalt is an igneous rock. Unlike granite, basalt's smooth grain is uniformly dark and typically without visible crystals. Artisans can polish the black, heavy stone to a satiny shine, as Egyptian sculptors did in their carvings of gods, goddesses, and pharaohs. Other artists choose to leave the stone matte black and raw, as the sculptors of the few basalt moai on Easter Island did.