One of the first building materials were mud bricks, molded by hand and dried in the sun for days. Later, bricks were made of clay and fired in kilns to create astrong, lasting material. The raw materials that were required to make bricks were plentiful, and brick-making quickly became a trade. Bricks are commonly made of a combination of clay and sand. The mineral content of the brick determines what color the brick will be. For instance, red bricks contain more iron, while whiter bricks have higher iron content. Throughout history, bricks have been used in every culture, from the Ancient Chinese to the Romans. People viewed brick as a stronger material than wood, as it was resilient to fire, rot, and pests. Brick has been used to build everything from homes to barriers to tombs.

Brick is the oldest human manufactured flooring material, and its use dates back thousands of years. Historically it has often been employed as an alternative to stone and was commonly used in the construction of houses and manors that did not require the protective qualities of real stone. With the rise of cities, it surged in popularity, due largely to the fact that it was a relatively durable, inexpensive, and fireproof building material. Because of its storied  history brick flooring often has a familiar feeling that causes it to be associated with simple spaces. It shares many of the visual and textural qualities of natural stone, and so lends itself to use in rustic and primitive settings.  Over time the surface of a brick floor will weather which will enhance these characteristics, causing the material to look even more classic and antiqued. This can give the floor a unique sense of personality which can help to define an  environment.

Source:  The Spruce and Homeadvisor