-THE GREAT WALL- |
Construction
Contents
History Notable Areas Characteristics Condition Watchtowers and Barracks Recognition Wall Sections Role in Modern Warfare SEE Also:
IntroductionThe Great Wall is reputed as one of the seven construction wonders in the world not only for its long history, but its massive construction size, and its unique architectural style as well.
The construction of the Great Wall began between the 7th and 8th centuries BCE when the warring states built separate defensive walls to ward off enemies from the north. It was only a regional project then. Once the Qin State became the Qin Empire over a united land, the separate walls were joined together. The Wall at this point in time stretched 5000 kilometers from west to east and served its purpose of managing the threat posed by northern Nomadic tribes. Each successive dynasty after Qin further extended and strengthened the Wall. The largest such effort was during the Ming dynasty when the northern nomadic tribes became very powerful; the Wall was renovated 18 times. A 1000 kilometer stretch of the original Qin Wall was developed into a length of 6,000 kilometers.
The architectural style of the Great wall is a marvel in the history of construction in the world- even by today's standards. Since the weaponry of the period consisted of swords, spears, lances, halberds and bows and arrows, effective defense strategy took the form of walls with passes, watchtowers and signal towers, as well as moats. This basic concept was embodied in the largest single military construction effort in the history of human civilization.
To ensure the safety of the dynasties, the feudal rulers strove to improve the construction of the Great Wall after it took shape in the Qin dynasty. In particular, the Ming dynasty saw the creation of a sophisticated defense system along the wall embracing garrison towns, garrison posts, passes, blockhouses, additional wall structures, watchtowers and beacon towers, each given a different status and designed mission. The system enabled the imperial court to stay in touch with military and administrative agencies at various levels, including those at the grassroots, and provided the frontier troops with facilities to carry out effective defense against northern invasions.
The Great wall we see today is mostly from the Ming dynasty. With an average height of 10 meters and a width of 5 meters, the wall runs up and down along the mountain ridges and valleys from east to west. It stands as a witness of Chinese history, culture and development.
Construction MaterialMaterials used in the construction of the Great Wall varied widely, depending on location and time period.
Before the use of bricks and heavy gauge stone, mainly during the Ming period of construction, the Wall was built from rammed earth, stones and wood. The scale of the construction effort and sheer length prompted use of materials from local sources.
These resources also proved to maintain a sort of natural equilibrium that has been the driving force in much of Chinese building concepts; the Wall, while colossal in stature, resembled the land around it. Stones taken from the surrounding landscape were used when building over mountain ranges, the plains provided earth that was rammed into solid blocks. Juniper tamarisks and sanded reeds were used in the desert areas.
The first incarnation of the Wall took the form of a large earthen rampart. There were none of the stone fortresses that are commonly seen along certain sections and passes of the Wall- only small sentry towers made of stamped earth. Along the vast frontier of the northwest, a crude pile of rocks took the place of otherwise secure fortifications made of the rammed earth. Great Wall sites around Dunhuang City in Gansu Province, Yulin in Shaanxi Province and Baotou in Nei Menggu (Inner Mongolia Province) to this day bear the unmistakable construction methods and materials of the original Qin battlement; layers of earth and wood can clearly be seen. These are some of the oldest parts of the Wall still standing in modern times; having survived weather, earthquakes, invasion and are still very strong.
Advancement in construction did not mature beyond this effective method until the middle of the Ming Dynasty. While the principle of local material use was for the large part maintained, newer materials found their way into the construction. The advent of swifter conveyance allowed large amounts of limestone to be transported hundreds of miles from their origins in southern workshops. Large, heavy stone could be cut to contour any landscape- even sheep mountain ranges. Bricks were fabricated locally along the entire length of the Wall during this period of reconstruction and reinforcement.
Records from a Material Supply Department at the highest level of government detail stone ponds, kiln workshops, timber fabrication and even paper mills at regular intervals along the length of the Wall.
Bricks were more a convenient material than earth and stone as their small size and light weight made them convenient to carry and thus quickened the speed of construction. Bricks are also the ideal material to bear the weight. According to a sample experiment experiencing gravity and erosion over a hundred years, the compressive strength, resistance to freezing and absorbency of the bricks of the time are similar to today's common bricks. A huge brick from a hundred years ago showed a high level of technological skill for that time. For further ease of construction, different shapes of brick were also burned and made to stuff into different positions.
Stone, however, still has its advantages. Stones cut in rectangular shapes were mostly used to build the foundation, inner and outer brims, and gateways of the Great Wall. In the Badaling section, the Great Wall is made almost entirely of granite, some of green and white stones and some of white marble. The stone material was found to better resist efflorescence than bricks.
It is not only because of the high level of productivity of the time that hard material like bricks and stones were used in the construction of the Great Wall, but also because of the development of weapons. Before the Ming Dynasty, the Great Wall was built from board frames and, although not very solid, could withhold simple weapons like swords, spears and bows. But during the Ming Dynasty, gunpowder became available. The musket, blunderbuss and cannon appeared. Due to the use of these weapons, more solid bricks and stones were required to build a stronger Great Wall.
The Great Wall of China embodies the great systems of defense created during the wars of the time; moreover it indicates a great achievement in architecture.
Bricks were easier to work with than earth and stone as their small size and light weight made them convenient to carry and augmented construction speed. Additionally, they could bear more weight and retain their integrity than rammed earth. Stone, though more difficult to use, can better hold well under its own weight than brick. Consequently, stones cut in rectangular shapes were used for the foundation, inner and outer brims, and gateways of the wall.
built by stamping earth between board frames
Great Wall of Qin, the Great Wall of Han and the Wall of Zhao. The Wall of Zhao was built during the Warring States Period using board frames
Heritage :: Great Wall
Introduction | Construction | Gates and Passes |
Role in Modern Warfare