Ancient carpenters didn't need nails. Why could they build buildings that could last for thousands of years?

If you have visited ancient Chinese buildings, you will find that these buildings have no nails at the joints, but they are very strong. Compared with nails used in the fixed structure of modern buildings, carpenters in ancient China prefer to use tenon-mortise structure, which is the most environmentally friendly and intelligent now. Part of the real reason is that the cost of nails was high at that time, nails were easy to rust and loosen, and the maintenance cost increased, but the mortise and tenon structure did not have these problems. Mortise and tenon is the abbreviation of tenon and mortise, which is a way to connect two or more components in traditional woodworking. Among them, the protruding part of the component is called tenon and the concave part is called mortise.

What does this tenon-mortise structure look like? Loose? But under the action of external force, twisted steel bars and nails cannot be restored. However, if the mortise and tenon structure is displaced, it can be restored to its original state automatically through slight vibration and still fit well. Of course, this technique has continued to this day, and we can still see it on many wooden furniture, but the appearance of nails makes this technique rigid. Of course, nailing has also brought great convenience, which is in line with the current society that pursues efficiency.

As a key link in the architectural history of China, tenon and mortise technology has a long history. As early as Hemudu period, the prototype of tenon-mortise system already existed. Modern archaeology has found that the huge column-shaped buildings unearthed from Hemudu site are far more complicated than the semi-basement buildings of residents in the Yellow River basin at the same time. Archaeologists speculate that a huge amount of wood needs to be classified after calculation, and someone needs to direct the construction on the spot.

This kind of construction technology shows that Hemudu people have high IQ. Because of this? Bar type? The design of the building can not only prevent moisture, but also prevent the intrusion of wild animals. It is the ancestral home of traditional wooden structures in southern China. In particular, the application of tenon-mortise technology can advance the history of tenon-mortise technology in China for more than 2,000 years, which archaeologists call a miracle 7,000 years ago. This technology has been used since its appearance. Due to the strong bite and toughness of tenon-mortise structure, some buildings can resist great stress, and some buildings will not collapse this year after a hundred years.