What is the Great Wall of China Made of?
The Great Wall of China, an ancient architectural wonder of the world, was built over 10 dynasties for more than 2000 years to protect the Chinese Empire in the middle land from northern invaders. So, what is the Great Wall of China made of? A quick answer -- it was mainly built of earth, stone, wood and tiles. However, as the Wall was constructed over different periods and regions of China, the materials used varied as well.
What is the Great Wall of China made of? Major Construction Materials
The amount of soil and stone required for the Wall was very large and was usually taken from local sources. In steep mountainous areas, for example, stones were taken from the hills and paved with them. In the loess areas of the plains, soil was taken locally and compacted with earth. In deserts, reeds or red willow branches were layered with sand layer by layer.
1. plate-built rammed earth walls;
2. adobe walls;
3. brick walls;
4. masonry walls;
5. mixed brick and stone masonry;
6. stonework;
7. mud-joined bricks.
Different Materials used to Build the Great Wall of China in History
In the initial stages (in Zhou Dynasty) of the Great Wall construction, it was built with tamped earth and stone, which were simple yet effective materials. However, these materials were vulnerable to erosion and damage from the elements. As the Wall was expanded in the following dynasties and improved over time, builders incorporated other materials to make it stronger and more durable.Brick was one of the most commonly used materials in building the Great Wall of China. These bricks were made from clay and fired in kilns to create a solid, durable material that could withstand the rigors of time and weather. The bricks were then transported to the construction site and used to build the walls and fortifications. In some areas, the bricks were held together with mortar, while in other regions, they were stacked on top of each other in a process known as dry masonry.
In addition to brick, stone was another popular material used in constructing the Great Wall of China. Builders used stone to build the foundation and base of the Wall, as well as for the watchtowers and other fortifications. To obtain the necessary stones, they quarried from nearby mountains and transported them to the construction sites, where the stones were cut and shaped to fit the builders' needs.
Apart from brick and stone, other materials were also used to build the Great Wall of China. For instance, wood was used to build the gates and other structures, and earth was used to fill the gaps between the bricks and stones. This helped to make the wall more impregnable, especially during times of invasion.
Despite different materials used to construct the Great Wall of China, the building techniques were remarkably consistent across the centuries. Builders used simple tools and techniques to create a wall that was strong, durable, and effective at keeping invaders out.
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Glutinous rice - a Special Adhesive That Keeps the Great Wall standing for Over a Thousands Years
Ancient military buildings were basically constructed of masonry, such as the Great Wall of China. However, it is a miracle that the Great Wall, which has a history of thousands of years and has been subjected to constant warfare, has been preserved to this day under such circumstances. It is important to understand that the Great Wall is a typical masonry structure, in which the bonding material is a very important one. Hundreds of millions of bricks were used in the construction of the Wall, so the bonding material had to be good enough for the Wall to be so strong.
Cement is no stranger to the modern world and is a great construction adhesive. So what exactly did the craftsmen who built the Great Wall use in ancient China when there was no cement?
Glutinous rice-lime paste first appeared during the Northern and Southern Dynasties. This glutinous rice-lime paste was mainly made by mixing glutinous rice with slaked lime and some limestone to form a paste of super-high consistency, which is equivalent to concrete nowadays. The Great Wall of China, which was glued with glutinous rice lime paste, was strong, durable and exceptionally sturdy.
What is the Great Wall of China made of? Bricks, Beacon Towers, and More
The Great Wall of China is not only a strong line of defence, but also a complete defence system. The main body of the Great Wall is the wall, which is made of bricks or stones, several metres high and several feet thick. Such a structure enables the Great Wall to withstand enemy attacks. >> Keep reading: How Tall is the Great Wall of China?
Apart from the walls, the Great Wall also has many auxiliary facilities. For example, the beacon tower is one of the important structures on the Great Wall. It was located in a dangerous position on the Great Wall and communicated military information by lighting beacon fires. This way of transmission, though simple, was very effective. In ancient times, when communication was not well developed, the beacon tower became an important link connecting military information from different places.
The Great Wall also had many passes and castles. These facilities not only strengthened the defence capability of the Great Wall, but also provided resting and garrisoning places for soldiers. Along the Great Wall of China, there were also many posts and watchtowers, which were able to detect the enemy's movements in time and provide strong support for the defence of the Great Wall.
The structural design and materials used in the construction of the Great Wall are a blend of architecture, military science, aesthetics and other fields of knowledge.
How Many Bricks Are in the Great Wall of China?
Given the sheer size and length of the Great Wall of China, it is difficult to estimate the exact number of bricks used to build it. However, some researchers estimate that as many as 42 billion bricks were used in the construction of the Wall. This is a staggering number that shows just how massive the undertaking was.What Time Does the Great Wall Close?
If you are planning a visit to the Great Wall of China, it is important to know the closing times of the Wall, which varies depending on the season and the section of the Wall you are visiting. In general, the wall is open from early morning until late afternoon or early evening (Simatai Great Wall is open at night and offers a Great Wall Night tour). During the peak tourist season, some sections of the wall may stay open later into the evening to accommodate the crowds. It is best to check with your ETC travel consultant the specific section of the Wall you plan to visit for the most up-to-date information on opening and closing times.