Archaeologists Discover Oldest Section of Great Wall, Dating Back 300 Years Earlier

Archaeologists in Shandong Province have uncovered the earliest known section of the Great Wall of China, dating back approximately 300 years earlier than previously thought, to the late Western Zhou Dynasty (1046 BCE–771 BCE) and the early Spring and Autumn Period (770 BCE–476 BCE). Conducted by the Shandong Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, the excavation covered 1,100 square meters in Guangli Village between May and December 2024. This significant finding challenges long-held assumptions about the timeline of the Great Wall's construction and illustrates the advanced military strategies of regional states prior to China's unification. The Qi Great Wall, part of the UNESCO World Heritage site, extends 641 kilometers and showcases distinct construction phases, with the earliest walls being about 10 meters thick. The research incorporated a multidisciplinary approach, employing various dating techniques to affirm the structure's age and historical significance. Project leader Zhang Su highlighted the implications of these excavations for understanding ancient Chinese fortifications.