During excavations at the Jiankou section of the Great Wall of China, archaeologists unearthed over 300 artifacts dating back to the Ming Dynasty. These activities took place in the Huairou district as part of a conservation initiative for one of the monument’s most inaccessible and steepest segments, as reported by Arkeonews on May 19.
The investigations focused on watchtowers numbered 117, 118, and 119. Among the most significant discoveries, experts identified a cast-iron artillery piece dated to 1632, the fifth year of Emperor Chongzhen’s reign. The cannon measures 89.2 centimeters in length, has a caliber of 8.5 centimeters, and weighs approximately 112 kilograms. According to archaeologists, this represents the largest firearm ever found at the Jiankou site.
Shang Heng, a researcher from the Institute of Archaeology of Beijing, noted that inscriptions on the weapon, though partially effaced by corrosion, have survived to some extent. He stated that this information is crucial for understanding firearm production during the Ming era, as well as for shedding light on the military supply system and the dissemination of artillery technologies between China and Western nations.
The specialists observed that the discovered cannon exhibits characteristics of the so-called Hongyipao, or “red barbarian cannons.” These refer to a European artillery type that was adapted in China during the late Ming Dynasty. The cannon’s narrow muzzle and robust construction, in the opinion of the researchers, suggest that Jiankou was not merely a decorative part of the defensive line but a fully fortified frontier equipped with heavy weaponry.
In addition to military artifacts, archaeologists uncovered numerous traces of the garrison’s daily life. Tower No. 118 yielded the largest heated sleeping platform, known as a “kang,” found on this section, along with a stove used by soldiers in the cold mountain climate. Beneath the brickwork, researchers found food remnants, butchered animal bones (both domestic and wild), and plant fibers that were incorporated into the lime mortar to enhance structural integrity.
Inscriptions on building bricks particularly caught the attention of the scholars. One brick bore a message, believed to be left by laborers, which read: “No wine, no rest; three years of hard labor have turned my hair gray.” The researchers believe such records offer rare insights into the lives of the Great Wall’s builders and confirm the presence of literacy even among ordinary workers.
Another significant find was a blue stone stele discovered in Tower No. 117. This stele enabled scientists to accurately determine the construction date of this particular wall sector as 1573. Archaeologists emphasized that the current excavations are integrated with preservation efforts, allowing for the simultaneous investigation and reinforcement of a vulnerable segment of this historical complex within the mountainous terrain.
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