Were the Building Materials of the Great Wall Specially Treated?

The building materials of the Great Wall were indeed subject to special treatment. For bricks, they were carefully fired in kilns at specific temperatures and for certain durations to ensure durability. This process made them strong enough to withstand the test of time, weathering, and potential attacks. Stones, sourced from nearby quarries, were often chiseled and shaped to fit precisely into the wall's structure. Some were even treated with lime or other substances to enhance their resistance to erosion. In the case of mortar, a mixture of lime, sand, and sometimes other additives was used. This mortar had excellent binding properties, holding the bricks and stones together firmly. The special treatment of these materials was essential in creating a structure that could endure for centuries, standing as a testament to the advanced construction techniques of ancient China.