Archaeologists discover oldest section of China’s Great Wall, dating back nearly 3,000 years

The discovery, which dates back around 300 years earlier than previously believed, has its roots in the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046 BCE–771 BCE) and the early Spring and Autumn Period (770 BCE–476 BCE), located in Changqing District, Jinan, Shandong Province.

Conducted by the Shandong Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology between May and December 2024, the excavation, which covered approximately 1,100 square meters in the northern part of Guangli Village, marked the first comprehensive dig of the Qi Great Wall after years of initial surveys.

The Qi Great Wall was constructed by the State of Qi during the Warring States period (475–221 BCE). Built before the Ming Wall by over a thousand years, it covers more than 600 kilometers across Shandong and was intended to safeguard the state against invasions, especially from the State of Chu.

Advanced methods such as optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and carbon-14 dating have revealed evidence of sophisticated engineering techniques. The wall was built using rammed earth, stone, and other materials, demonstrating the military expertise of the Qi state well before China’s unification under the Qin Dynasty.

The team also identified the ancient settlement of Pingyin City, located approximately 1.5 kilometers north of the Qi Great Wall. Historical texts, such as the ‘Zuo Zhuan and Water Classic Commentary’, describe Pingyin as a vital stronghold of the Qi State. The city played a significant role in protecting transportation routes and maintaining border security.