What Makes the Great Wall of China So Extraordinary

The Great Wall of China: A Monumental Feat of Engineering and History

The Great Wall of China, a 13,000-mile long structure, stands as a testament to human ingenuity and perseverance. Its history is as intricate and winding as the wall itself, spanning centuries of construction, conflict, and cultural significance.

From Ancient Walls to Unified Defense

Originally, the Great Wall wasn't a single, continuous structure. During the Chunqiu period, individual feudal states erected separate rammed earth walls to protect themselves from nomadic raiders and each other. In 221 BCE, Emperor Qin Shi Huang unified these states and recognized the need for a more comprehensive defense system. While natural barriers like the Tibetan Plateau and the Pacific Ocean provided protection, the northern mountains remained vulnerable to invasions from Mongol, Turkish, and Xiongnu tribes.

To address this vulnerability, the Emperor embarked on an ambitious project: expanding and connecting the existing walls. This massive undertaking resulted in what was then known as The Long Wall, stretching from Lintao in the west to Liaodong in the east.

• Construction Challenges: The construction of the wall was a monumental task that required immense resources and manpower. Soldiers and commoners, often conscripted against their will, were forced to labor under harsh conditions. The Qin Dynasty recorded hundreds of thousands of builders, many of whom were peasants and criminals serving sentences. Legends and poems from the Han Dynasty, during which the wall's length extended to 3700 miles, speak of the suffering endured by these laborers, with tales of mass graves and workers buried within the wall itself. While no human remains have been found inside the wall, grave pits indicate that many workers perished from accidents, hunger, and exhaustion.

Fortification and Warfare

Despite its imposing presence, the Great Wall was not impenetrable. In the 13th century, both Genghis Khan and his son Khublai Khan successfully breached the wall during the Mongol invasion. However, the Ming Dynasty, which gained control in 1368, recognized the wall's strategic importance and initiated a major refortification project.

• Ming Dynasty Enhancements: The Ming Dynasty significantly enhanced the wall's defenses by using bricks and stones from local kilns. The wall averaged 23 feet high and 21 feet wide, punctuated by watchtowers strategically placed along its 5500-mile length. These watchtowers served as communication hubs, with fire and smoke signals used to alert reinforcements of approaching raiders. Small openings along the wall allowed archers to fire upon invaders, while larger openings were used to drop stones and other projectiles.

From Defense to Cultural Icon

Despite these improvements, the wall ultimately failed to prevent the overthrow of the Ming Dynasty in 1644. Northern Manchu clans breached the wall and established the Qing Dynasty, incorporating Mongolia into their empire. With the empire's borders now extending beyond the Great Wall, the fortifications lost their primary purpose. Without regular maintenance, the wall fell into disrepair, with rammed earth eroding and brick and stone being plundered for building materials.

However, the Great Wall's story didn't end there. During World War II, sections of the wall were used for defense against the Japanese invasion. Today, its main purpose is cultural. In 1987, it was granted UNESCO World Heritage status, recognizing it as one of the largest man-made structures on Earth.

• Tourism and Preservation: Ironically, the Great Wall, originally built to keep people out, now welcomes millions of visitors each year. This influx of tourists has led to deterioration, prompting the Chinese government to launch preservation initiatives to protect this invaluable historical site.

Dispelling Myths

One common misconception is that the Great Wall is the only man-made structure visible from space. This is not true. Many structures, such as bridges, highways, and airports, are visible from low Earth orbit. The Great Wall is only barely discernible, and it is not visible from the moon.

A Continuing Discovery

Despite the myths, the Great Wall remains a remarkable monument to human achievement. New sections are still being discovered, branching off from the main body and expanding our understanding of this extraordinary structure.