Since the first humans began to settle down as an agricultural society at the very dawn of civilization, continuing for thousands of years until the middle of the 19th century, only five mineral binders were used to create plasters and mortars.

In the past few decades, hemp has been increasingly grown as a principal material in construction.

Clay is a simple word for a very complex material. 

I’ve been using natural cements and natural hydraulic limes in the traditional plastering craft for many years. However, I never had the opportunity to visit a quarry where the unique limestones used to produce them are mined.

For the past few years here at Walls & Ceilings magazine, we’ve been considering the fundamentals of traditional plasters.