A network of trenches, walls, and enclosures stretching across the Eurasian steppes, predating the Great Wall of China, reveals a complex system of power and control built by the Jin dynasty.
A Network of Trenches and Walls Across the Eurasian Steppes
The Great Wall of China is an iconic monument, but it was not the only monumental wall built across the Eurasian steppes. Recent excavations reveal that other walls were constructed to control the movement of people, demonstrating power and sovereignty.
Origins of the Wall System
Built between the 10th and 12th centuries, this network of trenches, walls, and enclosures stretches approximately 4000 kilometres across more northerly regions in China, Mongolia, and Russia. The Jin dynasty (AD 1115 to 1234), founded by Jurchen people from Siberia and north-east China, was the chief dynasty responsible for its construction.
Architecture of the Wall
The structures were made up of a shallow ditch about 1 metre deep and 3 metres wide, with the earth from it piled up on one side, creating a wall of compressed earth that may have been a metre or two tall. Every few kilometres along the wall, there was a thick, square, stone enclosure, about 30 metres across.
Purpose of the Wall System
The purpose of the wall system has long been debated among historians. While some believed it was built to stop the armies of Genghis Khan, recent findings suggest that this was not its primary intention. The walls were likely erected as a show of power to demonstrate control over the region and manage the flow of people, goods, and animals.
Genghis Khan, also known as Temujin, was a Mongol emperor and the founder of the Mongol Empire.
Born around 1162 AD in Mongolia, he united various tribes and went on to create the largest contiguous empire in history.
He implemented a merit-based system, where soldiers were promoted based on their abilities rather than birth.
Genghis Khan's military campaigns expanded his empire from China to Eastern Europe, leaving a lasting impact on world history.
Evidence of Pastoralism
Finds at one of the enclosures shed light on how the people there may have lived. Coins from the Han Chinese Song dynasty, ceramics, a plough head, and a stone platform or bench that could be heated and used as a stove or bed were discovered. These findings imply that significant resources were invested into the garrison’s construction and maintenance, suggesting that the people lived here all year round and practised agriculture.
Modern Relevance
The wall system is an example of how ancient rulers controlled movement and demonstrated power. Its design, with its shallow ditch and stone enclosures, may have been effective in managing small raids but would not have stopped invading armies. As Shelach-Lavi notes, ‘This was not meant to stop invading armies… it’s a matter of controlling who is moving, and in this respect, it’s not very different from what we see today.‘
- newscientist.com | Before the Great Wall, Chinese rulers built a shallow ditch
