The Great Wall of China: History, Myths & How It Was Built

The Great Wall Of China

China was home to one of the earliest civilizations in human history. The early Chinese are credited with many revolutionary inventions, including paper and gunpowder. They also laid the foundations for the longest man-made structure ever built.

In total, The Great Wall of China is 21,000 kilometers long and passes through more than 400 towns across northern and central China. However, contrary to common belief, it is not a single continuous structure. In fact, it is a series of fortifications and bulwarks whose origins can be traced back to between the 8th and 5th Centuries BC. At that time, China was divided into several smaller states that were constantly at war with each other to expand their territory. Facing frequent external threats, rulers of these smaller states started to build high walls to keep out intruders.

History

By the 3rd Century BC, the warring states unified under the Qin Dynasty, and their Emperor set about extending the Wall while also connecting some of the existing sections. However, the most famous parts of the wall were built much later during the Ming Dynasty, which came to power in the 14th century—about 1,700 years later. Almost one-third of the Wall and some of its strongest sections were built during that era to protect against Mongol tribes.

Materials Used To Build The Great Wall Of China

The materials used in the Great Wall's construction differ greatly depending on the terrain the wall passed through and the resources available in the surrounding areas. In many places, rammed soil and wood were used, while the strongest sections were built using marble, bricks, and a secret ingredient that has preserved it for centuries.

This secret ingredient is a rather unusual mortar that contains sticky rice. Introduced during the Ming Era, it proved to be as strong and waterproof as cement, sealing the bricks so tightly that weeds were unable to grow between them.

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How The Great Wall Of China Was Built

Much of the Ming Era sections are still standing strong to this day, having survived drastic weather events and earthquakes. But building the longest man-made structure was no easy task. Often, huge stones and massive bricks had to be transported to mountaintops and through difficult terrains.

Without powerful machinery, laborers could only use their bare hands and often traveled several kilometers, resulting in deaths from hunger and exhaustion. This is why many laborers lost their lives during the construction of the wall. Today, only rough estimates can be made, with some historical texts putting the number at around 400,000 deaths.

The Great Wall of China is a testament to the skill and hard work of millions of laborers. Many parts of the wall have stood the test of time and continue to attract over 10 million visitors every year. However, this immense popularity might also become a problem in the future. While innovative mortar solutions and stone blocks have helped preserve the wall, not all of its sections are equally well-maintained.

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Decay and Preservation

Over the years, adverse weather conditions have caused around one-third of the wall to disappear. Human activity, including villagers stealing building materials for their homes and the physical toll of excess tourism, has also significantly contributed to the wall's decay.

The Myth About Its Visibility From The Moon

Despite some of its sections disappearing, the Wall's sheer size has given rise to many popular myths, most notably the claim that it is visible from the moon. However, this myth is entirely incorrect.

The claim about its visibility from space was first made in the 1930s—decades before anyone had actually traveled to the moon or even into orbit. The first person to set foot on the moon, Neil Armstrong, was asked about the Great Wall's visibility many times. He confirmed that while he could see continents, lakes, and bodies of water, no man-made structure was visible from the lunar surface.