If you wish to know about ancient woodworking techniques, this 
is a good source of information: it shows how to make a chest with only hand tools, no glue, screws and/or nails. Of course this takes an inordinate amount of time, having to make perfectly fitting wooden joints, and wooden pegs holding together the entire thing. It is very nice to see, but personally I don't think I would have the patience to do it this way...