Scientists Reveal: Great Wall of China's Age Surpasses Our Previous Knowledge
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Archaeologists have discovered what is thought to be the oldest part of the Great Wall. China .
This shifts the estimated beginnings of the wall, one of Earth's biggest human-made constructions, backward by three centuries.
The significant discovery found in the Changqing District, inside the provincial capital of Shandong in China, encompasses walls that trace back to the early Spring and Autumn period in China, spanning from 770 BCE to 476 BCE—the era when philosopher Confucius lived.
They could potentially trace their origins even earlier, all the way back to the late Western Zhou Dynasty, which lasted from around 1046 to 771 BCE.
Spanning over 13,000 miles, the Great Wall of China extends from Dandong in the east to Lop Lake in the west, following an arc that generally follows the southern border of Inner Mongolia.
It comprises multiple barriers erected by various Chinese dynasties to shield themselves from foreign intruders and hostile neighbors, with construction spanning roughly two thousand years.
The recent finding originates from an archaeological dig along the Qi Wall, said to be among the oldest and longest early Chinese fortifications. This wall was crucial for the military tactics employed by the state of Qi — one of the dominant powers within China during that era.
The Shandong Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology conducted an excavation from May to December last year, covering roughly 1,100 square meters (about 11,840 square feet) in the north section of Guangli Village, according to reports by the online publication Archaeology News.
As stated by project leader Zhang Su, multiple distinctive stages of wall building have been identified.
This period might have covered the era of the Western Zhou dynasty up until 771 BCE, followed by the subsequent Eastern Zhou dynasty, during which the feudal structure under the rule of the Zhou kings began to disintegrate. They were compelled to abandon their territory due to an incursion from nomads, relocating their royal seat from west to east China.
The earliest walls, dating back to the Spring and Autumn period of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty—when numerous small, rival states in China vied for dominance—were approximately 10 meters (33 feet) wide.
They provide indications that their roots may trace back to the Western Zhou Dynasty.
Subsequent walls predominantly date back to the Warring States Period between 475 BCE and 221 BCE. During this era, the smaller states within the Zhou Dynasty, engaged in fierce competition for territory and dominance, merged into seven powerful kingdoms.
The subsequent walls exhibit significantly more sophisticated building methods, with the strongest ones measuring over 30 meters (98 feet) wide.
The concluding segment, constructed during the reign of King Xuan of Qi, who ruled roughly between 350 and 301 BCE, remains remarkably intact and was created using high-quality yellow soil, tamped down with iron tools.
The archaeological survey encompassed the examination of artifacts, collection of soil samples, and performed radiocarbon dating.
The investigation uncovered semi-subterranean structures under the initial walls in the north section of the dig site, offering a glimpse into daily life within smaller communities prior to the construction of these defensive barriers.
A team located an old settlement known as Pingyin City approximately one mile north of the Qi Wall.
Historical documents describe Pingyin as a key fortress for the Qi state, essential for safeguarding transport corridors and borders against threats from the Jin dynasty during times of war.
Excavations have verified the existence of a western city wall, which extends for at least 500 meters, as well as trenches and fortified gates referenced in historical documents.
The walls showcase China’s advanced engineering skills even prior to unification, which occurred at the conclusion of the Warring States period when the state of Qin defeated all rival states and founded the Qin dynasty.
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