Temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of the Ming Great Wall

Abstract

The Great Wall during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) was the most prominent engineering volume and the most perfect military defense structure in the history of China. By combining traditional historical textual research, site surveys, and GIS database analysis, this paper reveals the Ming Great Wall’s spatial and temporal distribution characteristics and the immediate causes of their formation are discussed in the nine military districts of the frontier. The results show that: (1) The general rule of the Ming Great Wall was to set up military forts, passes, piers, and other related defensive facilities before constructing the continuous wall. (2) The Great Wall spatial and temporal distribution of the phases is relatively apparent, divided into five construction phases in the Ming Dynasty (1368–1620): Hongwu to Xuande (1368–1435), unbuilt the wall; Zhengtong to Tianshun (1436–1464), the consecutive wall appeared; Chenghua to Zhengde (1465–1521), the first construction climax of the Great Wall; Jiajing period (1522–1566), the second construction climax of the Great Wall; Longqing to Wanli (1567–1620), the completion of the whole line of the Great Wall.(3)The warfare and defense posture was the immediate factor that prompted the construction of the Great Wall between the Ming Dynasty and Mongolia. This study has some reference significance for restoring the integrity and authenticity of the Ming Great Wall, and contribute to the preservation of the cultural heritage of.