Archaeologists have uncovered what may be the oldest known section of the Great Wall of China. The discovery in Changqing District, Jinan, in China’s Shandong Province, suggests the wall is around 300 years older than previously believed.
That means the newly unearthed ruins date back to the late Western Zhou Dynasty (1046 BC–771 BC) and the early Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC–476 BC), making the wall around 3,000 years old.
The excavation, led by the Shandong Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, occurred from May to December 2024. Researchers dug into roughly 1,100 square meters (Just over a quarter of an acre) of land in the northern part of Guangli Village, marking the first active excavation of the Qi Great Wall after years of surface-level investigations.
Artifacts and soil samples provided crucial evidence of the wall’s age. Experts also examined tiny plant remains and used scientific dating methods such as optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and carbon-14 dating to determine the site’s historical timeline.
Qi Great Wall is China’s longest and oldest defensive structure
The Qi Great Wall is recognized as the oldest and longest section of China’s ancient fortifications. Stretching about 641 kilometers across Shandong Province, the wall extends from Changqing in the west to the eastern coast of Qingdao.
Historical records describe its key role in protecting the Qi State during the Eastern Zhou Dynasty by guarding borders and defending important routes.
The newly unearthed ruins in East #China’s Shandong Province, reveal that the earliest known sections of the #GreatWall date back to the late Western Zhou Dynasty (1046 BC-771BC) and to the early Spring and Autumn Period (770BC-476BC), pushing back the construction timeline of… pic.twitter.com/bijz56M9TG
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) February 16, 2025
Excavations revealed that the wall was constructed in multiple phases, with the earliest layers dating back to the late Western Zhou Dynasty and the Spring and Autumn Period. These early walls measured approximately 10 meters (approximately 33 feet) thick.
Over time, construction techniques became more advanced. Walls built during the Warring States Period, between 475 BCE and 221 BCE, were significantly stronger and wider. Some sections measured more than 30 meters (98 feet) across.
The final stage of construction, completed under the rule of King Xuan of Qi around 350 BCE, used tightly compacted yellow earth to increase durability. This phase remains well-preserved today, offering valuable insight into ancient engineering practices.
Evidence of early settlement life beneath the wall
Beyond the defensive walls, archaeologists found evidence of daily life in the region. In the northern excavation zone, they discovered the remains of old residential structures buried beneath the wall’s foundation.
The homes, partly underground with square layouts and rounded corners, paint a picture of small community life predating the fortifications. The discovery suggests that the wall was more than a military defense—it was closely tied to local communities.
Further north, about 1.5 kilometers (less than a mile) from the wall, the team uncovered the ruins of Pingyin City, a once-critical stronghold mentioned in historical texts such as the Zuo Zhuan and the Water Classic Commentary.
The city protected vital transportation routes and played a key role in military conflicts between Qi and rival states. Excavations revealed a western city wall spanning at least 500 meters, along with evidence of trenches and fortified gates that match ancient records.