What historical movements prioritized stone as a medium for Nature-themed Sculptures?

Throughout history, several artistic movements have emphasized stone as a primary medium for nature-themed sculptures, reflecting cultural, spiritual, and environmental values. In the Neolithic period, communities created megalithic structures like Stonehenge, using large stones to align with natural elements and celestial events, symbolizing harmony with nature. During the Romantic era of the 19th century, sculptors such as Auguste Rodin occasionally incorporated naturalistic themes into stone works, though marble was more common for human forms. The mid-20th century Land Art movement significantly prioritized stone; artists like Robert Smithson and Andy Goldsworthy used rocks and boulders to create site-specific works like "Spiral Jetty," blending art with the natural landscape to critique commercialization and highlight ecological interconnectedness. Additionally, indigenous traditions worldwide, such as Native American petroglyphs and Inuit stone carvings, have long utilized stone to depict natural motifs, honoring environmental wisdom and ancestral stories. These movements collectively demonstrate stone's enduring role in expressing humanity's relationship with nature through sculpture.