The Great(er) Wall of China

Published Jun 8, 2012

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London - The Great Wall of China is far greater than previously thought.

The first formal measurement of the world’s largest man-made structure has revealed that the wall is more than twice as long as previous estimates.

Following an archaeological survey that took five years to complete, China’s State Administration of Cultural Heritage announced that the wall goes on for 13,170 miles.

Historical records had suggested the wall was just 5,500 miles long.

Its construction began in 500BC, but just eight percent of the original structure remains.

It was reinforced and extended under subsequent dynasties, but some previous estimates of its length included only parts built during the Ming Dynasty, which lasted from 1368 to 1644. - Daily Mail

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