A cumulation is a massive construction which is built by stacking earth, loose stone, cut stone, bricks, or any other form of natural mass, masonry, or available material into a mainly solid form. In order to withstand gravity without erosion, these are generally tapered from a wide base to a narrower top. The base may be of any shape, and the top may be pointed, ridged, flat, rounded, or uneven.

Structures which are built around a significant interior space, which is not filled by building material, are not included in this category.

The mass is predominantly material rather than an enclosure around a large usable interior. A small passage or void does not have the same role as the significant interior space excluded above.