Archaeological excavations in Shandong province, China, indicate that portions of the Great Wall may be older than previously thought, potentially dating back to the late Western Zhou Dynasty (1046-771 BC) and the early Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC).
This discovery challenges the established understanding that major construction of the wall commenced around the 7th century BC and was unified during the Qin Dynasty in the 3rd century BC. Liu Zheng of the Chinese Society of Cultural Relics stated that this is the earliest known section of the Great Wall. The research confirms that the Great Wall's construction occurred over centuries by various dynasties, with some sections abandoned and later reconstructed.
Originally intended to safeguard China's northern borders from nomadic groups, the wall also served to regulate trade and transportation. Archaeologists employed diverse methods, including the analysis of artifacts, plant remains, and animal bones, to determine the age of these sections. Excavations revealed roads, house foundations, trenches, ash pits, and walls, showcasing the advanced engineering techniques of the ancient Chinese.
A well-preserved section from the Warring States Period (475-221 BC) offers new insights into the wall's evolution and its strategic importance beyond defense, according to Zhang Su from the Shandong Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology.