The Great Wall of China is a series of walls which started construction in the 5th century to defend China’s northern borders. At one time, it was defended by as many as one million men. Two to three million Chinese died to finish this centuries-long project. The wall stretches 4,000 miles from Shanhaiguan in the east to Lop Nar in the west.
The wall was made to defend against small arms such as swords and spears. It was made mostly by stamping earth and gravel between board frames. The materials used differed depending on the terrain. Stones from mountains were used when constructing on mountains. Rammed earth was used when on the plains. One million of the deaths occurred during construction in the Qin Dynasty. Today, much of the wall is being destroyed from nature or because it is in the way of construction of roads or housing. Although much of it remains in disrepair, the Great Wall is still encompassed in a deep legacy which wows visitors to this day.