The Great Wall of China is one of the greatest manmade structures ever created in the world. It was made to keep the northern barbarians, the Xiongnu, out of their land. The first wall was made over 2700 years ago in 450 B.C, when the state of Chu made defensive walls to keep out enemies. This was followed by all of the other states. When Emperor Qin Shi Huang unified China, he joined all of the walls together to make the Great Wall. The Ming Dynasty had later rebuilt the walls using stronger materials. It is also the only visible landmark from space.
SIZE
The size of the Wall was massive. It ran for more than 700 kilometres and was over 6 metres tall (20 feet) so no enemy soldiers could climb over. But as weapons and armour grew stronger they began to damage the wall. Most the damage came from bad weather though.
CONSTRUCTION
The joining phase of the construction was done in 220 B.C when the Qin Dynasty ruled. Most of the building was done by criminals and labours. Roughly one quarter of workers died due to heavy work, intense weather and short rest. The wall was completed over three dynasties. The Qin Dynasty used many materials like tamped earth, wood, mud and more. When the Ming Dynasty rebuilt the Wall, they used limestone, bricks and stone to make the wall much stronger and more durable.
SIZE
The size of the Wall was massive. It ran for more than 700 kilometres and was over 6 metres tall (20 feet) so no enemy soldiers could climb over. But as weapons and armour grew stronger they began to damage the wall. Most the damage came from bad weather though.
CONSTRUCTION
The joining phase of the construction was done in 220 B.C when the Qin Dynasty ruled. Most of the building was done by criminals and labours. Roughly one quarter of workers died due to heavy work, intense weather and short rest. The wall was completed over three dynasties. The Qin Dynasty used many materials like tamped earth, wood, mud and more. When the Ming Dynasty rebuilt the Wall, they used limestone, bricks and stone to make the wall much stronger and more durable.