Explainer | 7 curious and intriguing facts about the Great Wall of China that may not be well known to public
- Many popular anecdotes about the wall are not true
- But there are many intriguing facts about it that are worth sharing
As a member of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Great Wall of China is one of the most iconic structures in the world, and with that comes misconceptions (it is not one wall) and outright falsehoods (it cannot be seen from space).
But it is also full of interesting facts that may be new information for many people. Below are seven intriguing, curious, and quirky facts about the most famous wall in the world.
Protected by a “living skin”
While the Great Wall of China is certainly not alive, it would be a mistake to say it is inanimate.
The wall is protected by a layer of biocrusts created by cyanobacteria, mosses, lichens and microbiomes. It could be called a “living skin”, and a study published in December last year clearly outlined how the crust played a crucial role in ensuring the long-term endurance of the wall.
Traditionally, scientists have viewed plant life as potentially destructive to ancient artefacts, with roots systems potentially tearing apart the structure of the wall. But that long-held belief is being challenged, and the recently published study analysed huge portions of the wall, discovering that bare parts of the structure were far less stable than those covered in biocrust.
Rather than causing erosion, the biological layer may be doing the exact opposite by protecting the wall from the elements.