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Archaeological Discoveries Indicate That Parts of the Great Wall of China May Have Been Built Before the Traditionally Estimated Period, Revealing New Details About Its Origin
Archaeologists have discovered evidence that the oldest part of the Great Wall of China may be about 300 years older than previously thought. A survey was conducted in Shandong province, in the east of the country, revealing new information about the historic structure.
Excavations at the Qi Wall
A team of archaeologists worked between May and December 2024 in an area of 11,800 square feet (approx. 3,597 m) in the village of Guangli.
The project was conducted by the Shandong Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology. The goal was to investigate the Qi Wall, considered the oldest section of the Great Wall of China.
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During the excavations, new parts of the wall were discovered, as well as trenches, roads, residential foundations, earthen structures, ash pits, and other historical remnants. The analysis of this evidence indicated that construction may have started much earlier than believed.
Data and Scientific Methods
To determine the age of the newly found sections, researchers used various scientific methods. Among them were carbon dating and soil sampling, which helped estimate when they were constructed.
Additionally, an optically stimulated luminescence technique was applied, which allows for identification of when materials were last exposed to sunlight or heat.
The results indicate that parts of the wall were built during the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046-771 BC). Other parts were constructed in the early Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC) and also in the Warring States Period (475-221 BC).
Some of the newly discovered parts are up to 32 feet wide, approximately 9.75 meters, as reported by the Global Times.
Great Wall of China: Importance of the Discovery
Liu Zheng, a member of the Chinese Society of Cultural Relics, emphasized that the research expands knowledge about the origin of the Great Wall of China. According to him, the findings pushed back the construction data to the Western Zhou period, making this the oldest known section of the wall.
The discovery also brought new statements about the historical context of the time. Two residences from the Zhou Dynasty were found beneath one of the wall’s deposits.
This suggests that the area housed a small settlement before the wall’s construction. The residences had square foundations with rounded corners and were partially underground.
Additionally, the team found evidence of an ancient settlement called Pingyin City, located approximately a mile north of the wall.
Strategic Function of the Qi Wall
Researchers believe that the Qi Wall served not only as a defense system. The location of the structures indicates that the construction may have also helped protect transportation routes. The presence of nearby settlements reinforces this hypothesis.
The Great Wall of China stretches for approximately 19,312 km along the northern part of the country. Its construction occurred over centuries, involving various dynasties.
The most visited part by tourists today is the Ming Great Wall, built between 1368 and 1644 during the Ming Dynasty. This section is approximately 8,850 meters long.
Preservation Challenges
Despite its historical value, the Great Wall of China faces various threats. Among the main issues are natural erosion and damage caused by human activities.
In September 2023, a case drew attention: two construction workers, attempting to create a shortcut, used an excavator to widen an existing gap in the wall. The act resulted in irreversible damage to the structure.
Experts warn of the need for preservation. Dong Yaohui, a scholar of the Great Wall of China, stressed the importance of protecting the construction. He stated that the wall is a cultural achievement for all humanity and that its destruction would represent a significant historical loss.
With information from Smith Sonian.
