Great Wall of China Found to Be 300 Years Older Than Previously Thought

Image Credentials: Generated with AI Davinci

By Staff Writer

Shandong Province, China – February 21, 2025 – New archaeological findings have revealed that the Great Wall of China is significantly older than previously believed. A recent study conducted by the Shandong Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology has pushed back the wall’s origins by approximately 300 years, dating its earliest sections to nearly 3,000 years ago.

A Reassessment of History

The research focused on the oldest section of the Great Wall, located in the Changqing District, Jinan, Shandong Province, also known as the Great Wall of Qi. The investigation used multiple dating techniques, including soil sampling and analysis of ancient plant remains, to determine its true age. These findings suggest that the wall’s initial construction began during the late Western Zhou Dynasty (1046 B.C.E.–771 B.C.E.) and continued into the Spring and Autumn Period (770 B.C.E.–476 B.C.E.).

Three Distinct Phases of Construction

According to Zhang Su, the project leader, the Great Wall of Qi evolved through three primary construction phases:

1. The Qi Phase (Late Western Zhou & Spring and Autumn Period): The earliest sections were about 32 feet thick, forming the foundation of the wall.
2. The Warring States Period (475 B.C.E.–221 B.C.E.): Construction techniques advanced significantly, with some sections reaching nearly 100 feet in width.
3. The King Xuan of Qi Era (c. 350–301 B.C.E.): Builders used metal rammers to compact fine yellow earth, creating one of the most durable and best-preserved portions of the structure.

Underground Discoveries

In addition to revising the wall’s timeline, archaeologists uncovered subterranean living quarters near its base. These structures, featuring square foundations with rounded corners, may have served as homes for workers during construction and later as barracks for stationed soldiers.

A long-lost ancient city, Pingyin, was also discovered less than a mile north of the Qi portion of the wall. Historical records suggest that Pingyin played a strategic role in military defense and trade. Excavations have uncovered remnants of its western city wall, trenches, and fortified gates, reinforcing its status as a pivotal military and commercial hub.

A Living Monument of History

Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Great Wall of Qi extends 400 miles across central Shandong, from Changqing to the coast of Qingdao. Nearly 3,000 years after its initial construction, the Great Wall continues to yield new historical insights, reaffirming its enduring legacy as one of the world’s greatest architectural achievements.