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The Great Wall<\/h1>\n
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By Jenny McGlone<\/p>\n
Chapel Hill, NC, United States<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Most students of history have heard of China\u2019s<\/strong>\u00a0Great Wall. Scholars seem to agree that this wall was constructed many centuries ago on an east-west orientation to protect China from neighboring invaders to its north. Much of the wall fell into ruin as the need for such protection subsided. In fact, one historian figured out that only 8.2 percent of it remains intact, while another 22 percent of it has completely vanished.<\/p>\n How Long Was It?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Did you know that nobody is sure how long the Great Wall really was? Until a few years ago, it was estimated to be 5,500 miles. Recently, however, archaeologists have proposed that its actual original length was closer to 13,170 miles. Not all of the structure was built by humans, as rivers, steep mountains, and other natural barriers were incorporated into the wall. Stretched out, it could run more than halfway around the globe!<\/p>\n How and When Was It Built?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The first sections of the Great Wall were constructed as long ago as the eighth century BCE, using mud and gravel that was packed together. With the invention of brick-making during the Tang Dynasty (618\u2013907 CE), these sturdier, lighter components were preferred. One of the ingredients in holding the bricks to each other was sticky rice juice!<\/p>\n You may be interested to know that the barrier was not only a wall. The builders thought of every possible defensive need, so they included other elements:<\/p>\n In the best-preserved, Mutianyu section of the wall, reinforced with granite in 1569, there are 23 watchtowers along 2,250 meters.<\/p>\n How Tall Was It?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The Mutianyu section\u2019s average height is seven to eight meters in height, four to five meters in width. The top of the wall is narrower than the bottom. In some places, now, it has eroded to fewer than two meters.<\/p>\n Can It Be Seen From Space?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Have a suggestion for this story? We\u2019d love for you to\u00a0submit it<\/a>!<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/the-great-wall-2190047_640.jpg” alt=”stilt fisherman in Sri Lanka” title_text=”the-great-wall-2190047_640″ align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/great-wall-of-china-1113708_640.jpg” alt=”Stilt fisherman in Sri Lanka” title_text=”great-wall-of-china-1113708_640″ align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Blank” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_css_main_element=”display: none; ” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Blank<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Math Resources” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Social Justice Question” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Many workers were seriously injured or killed during construction of the Great Wall. Since it was built for protection, was this loss of life justifiable? Why or why not?<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Explore Further” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Share Your Story” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n\n
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Despite the wall\u2019s size and length, the popularly held belief that it can be seen from outer space is actually false. Scientists have estimated that it would need to be 70 miles wide to be viewed with the unaided eye from such a distance. Another comparison would be trying to see a human hair from two miles away. NASA has published photographs disproving this myth, so you can see (or rather, not see) for yourself!<\/p>\n\n
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