The Miao make their houses out of poles and planks cut from Cunninghamia lanceolata trees. The basic house frame is a simple post and beam construction. The two structural components are held together with a mortise and tenon joint locked with wooden pins (shown in the image above). The boards used for the walls and windows and doors are carefully counter sunk into grooved baseboards. No nails are used at any point in the construction process. [NOTE: I have been in Miao houses that are over 30 years old; some are three stories tall].