Structural building block for use in wall construction, methods of using same, and wall constructed therewith

A structural base block for use in combination with other, similar blocks, said base block comprising a unitary main block body having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first end and a second end integrally attached to said first end, said block further having a longitudinal axis;

• said first end of said block body having a first finger extending outwardly thereon substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis, said first finger having a measurable height and having an upper surface which is substantially coextensive with said block top surface, said first end further having a second finger disposed below said first finger and spaced downwardly away from said first finger by an amount substantially equal to said measurable height, thereby forming a gap between said first and second fingers;
• said second end of said block body having a third finger extending outwardly thereon substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis, said third finger having a height substantially equal to the height of said first finger, said third finger having a lower edge substantially coextensive with said block bottom surface, said second end further having a fourth finger disposed above said third finger and spaced upwardly away from said third finger by an amount substantially equal to said measurable height, thereby forming a gap between said third and fourth fingers,
• whereby a first end of a second, substantially identical block can be nestingly interengaged with the second end of said base block.

A modular building system, comprising a plurality of base blocks having a unitary main block body having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first end and a second end integrally attached to said first end, said block further having a longitudinal axis;

• said first end of said block body having a first finger extending outwardly thereon substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis, said first finger having a measurable height and having an upper surface which is substantially coextensive with said block top surface, said first end further having a second finger disposed below said first finger and spaced downwardly away from said first finger by an amount substantially equal to said measurable height, thereby forming a gap between said first and second fingers;
• said second end of said block body having a third finger extending outwardly thereon substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis, said third finger having a height substantially equal to the height of said first finger, said third finger having a lower edge substantially coextensive with said block bottom surface, said second end further having a fourth finger disposed above said third finger and spaced upwardly away from said third finger by an amount substantially equal to said measurable height, thereby forming a gap between said third and fourth fingers
• whereby a first end of a second, substantially identical block can be nestingly interengaged with the second end of said base block, and a plurality of fasteners for interconnecting adjacent blocks.