The use of sticky rice was one of the greatest technical innovations of the time.
Scientists have discovered the secret behind an ancient Chinese super-strong mortar made from sticky rice, the delicious “sweet rice” that is a modern mainstay in Asian dishes. They also concluded that the mortar ― a paste used to bind and fill gaps between bricks, stone blocks and other construction materials ― remains the best available material for restoring ancient buildings. Their article appears in the American Chemical Society journal, Accounts of Chemical Research.
Continue reading… “The Secret of the Strength of the Great Wall of China Lies in Sticky Rice Mortar”
