How Was the Great Wall of China Made?

Qin Dynasty

• Construction of the Great Wall of China began around 700 B.C. During this time, China was divided into seven different lands, which began building walls to protect themselves from one another. Within 500 years, the walls stretched over 3,000 miles. About 200 B.C., the Chinese states were united for the first time under Emperor Qin, who began the process of connecting the many different walls to protect China from northern invaders. Throughout these early years of the wall's history, it was constructed primarily by soldiers. Different types of materials were used, depending on what was available locally. Often, wood timbers or boards were set more than a dozen feet apart. The space between the wood was then filled with earth, sand or debris. In mountainous regions, the Chinese took advantage of natural rock formations to build parts of the wall, while in some desert or lowlands, the wall was constructed from simple piles of loose stones.

Han Dynasty

• Throughout the first century A.D., attacks on China continued. During this time, construction and fortification of the wall became a top priority for the government, which forced millions of people into construction work. The building crews were supplemented by prisoners, who were required to serve four years of hard labor, as well as by local peasants forced into service. Construction on the Great Wall was dangerous work, and it is estimated that between two and three million people died during the building process. The Han Dynasty added miles to the wall, as well as new military features, including watchtowers, trenches and passes. Builders continued to use local materials, and much of the wall was built with packed sand and mud as it wound its way through the desert during these years.

Ming Dynasty

• The Ming Dynasty began in the 14th century, and led to construction of some of the most solid and well-fortified sections of wall. By this time, simple packed earth walls did little to protect China from invaders who had gunpowder and other advanced weapons. To hold off cannon and gunfire, the Mings ordered the new walls to be constructed of bricks, which were made from baked mud or clay. Under the Ming Dynasty, the wall was redesigned for serious protection, with watchtowers placed at specified intervals. These watchtowers contained living spaces for soldiers, and were often protected by deep moats and trenches. By the end of the Ming Dynasty in the 17th century, the Great Wall stretched more than 4,500 miles, with an average height of 33 feet and and an average width of 15 feet.