The bane of most drivers lives. It can ruin your car and cause expensive damage, but it also has a lot of uses. Gravel is a mineral material that is composed of the broken pieces of rocks that are left over after the most recent ice age. It is often used in construction and to improve the quality of soil. Gravel can be used in a variety of ways, including as an alternative to sand for playgrounds, in landscaping, or as a decoration for paths.