Ancient Secrets Unearthed:
Cultural Clues Found in Great Wall Excavation
A recent archaeological excavation at the Jiankou section of China’s Great Wall has unveiled a remarkable glimpse into life, health, and warfare during the Ming Dynasty, with discoveries ranging from a 17th-century cannon to evidence of medicinal plant use.
Led by the Beijing Institute of Archaeology, the restoration and excavation project explored three mountain watchtowers and connecting walls just outside Beijing. The most dramatic discovery was a 247-pound bronze cannon dating to 1632, during the reign of Emperor Chongzhen. Experts noted the cannon’s design aligns with European red-coat cannons of the era, offering rare physical proof of Chinese-Western military technology exchange.
But this find was just one part of a broader historical revelation. Excavated storage rooms revealed everyday aspects of soldiers’ lives, such as heated brick beds and stoves. An inscribed brick lamented the toil of construction, reading, “nothing but alcohol or worry; three years of toil turned my hair white,” offering a deeply human perspective on the builders’ harsh conditions.
Beyond warfare, the site yielded health-related insights tied to yangsheng (nourishing life) practices. Researchers identified traces of crops and medicinal plants once cultivated by the garrison, shedding light on traditional diets and herbal medicine use along the Wall. These botanical remnants not only reflect ancient self-care practices but also point to an awareness of preventative health, a key concept in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
Animal bones, including both domesticated and wild species, suggested a diverse diet and possible use in traditional remedies, further reinforcing the integrative approach to health practiced at the time. The presence of a high-magnesium lime mortar with plant fibers in the Wall’s construction reveals another natural material technology known to enhance durability, a subtle nod to the TCM principle of harmonizing man and nature.
Adding cultural depth, archaeologists also uncovered 28 turquoise artifacts likely sourced from distant mines in Hubei, Henan, and Shaanxi. These reveal not only trade routes but the symbolic and potentially therapeutic value of gemstones in ancient Chinese belief systems.
“These findings transform the Great Wall from a cold military structure into a living historical landscape integrating defense, cultural exchange, and daily life,” said lead archaeologist Shang Heng.
With much of the Great Wall’s geography unchanged, researchers believe future digs may yield even more insights into ancient wellness, military life, and Chinese history’s enduring legacy.
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