After more than a month of research, archaeologists in many Chinese disciplines have been able to re-establish the scenario of the Ming Dynasty soldiers (1368-1644) guarding a section of the Imperial Citadel, Xinhua reported.
Shang Heng - the head of the archaeological project being carried out at the Tien Khau section of the Imperial Citadel in Hoai Nhu district, Beijing - said that the multi-disciplinary study on an area of 2,000m2 has led to a series of discoveries such as fire hells, kitchens, pots, plates, bowls, scissors and shovels used by the soldiers guarding the Imperial Citadel in the Ming Dynasty.
Known as one of the most dangerous parts of the Imperial Citadel, the Tien Khau section is often called "Wild Imperial Citadel".
First built during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and restored during the Ming Dynasty, the Tien Khau citadel wall connects with the Ly Truong Thanh Temple in the east and the Ly Truong Thanh Temple in the west.
Mr. Shang said that since last year, the Beijing city government has shifted its focus on protecting the Great Wall from general repairs to research orientation.
At a tower of the Imperial Academy, animal bones have been found through animal archaeology. Traces of a firecracker gun were also found.
"The vivid script is restored with relics in accordance with the records in historical documents. For example, there were about a year when soldiers guarded a watch tower on the Great Wall, where there was a fire pit that could warm up two soldiers to rest, while the other three were on duty, said Mr. Shang.
During the research, archaeologists also discovered a secret door under the Great Wall.
"We speculate that the men on the mission as a Minh Dynasty reconnaissance officer may have gone through this secret path under the Imperial Citadel to observe the situation of the enemy," said Mr. Shang.
During the on-site investigation, experts in ancient architecture, materials and botany participated.
Mr. Shang said that when the damage was discovered on the Great Wall, the authorities sent people to repair it immediately. Thanks to experts sharing information from all fields, in the future, repairs can be carried out while researchers conduct digital restoration.
Van Ly Truong Thanh was once "sick" like eroded water. The multi-industry group has come up with a plan to address such issues.
When it rains, gravel and sand block the drainage of the wall, which can collapse the walls. Therefore, such bottlenecks need to be dredged in time. Experts have measured and designed drainage channels to help prevent risks - Shang said.
The Ly Truong Thanh Temple is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, including many adjacent walls. Beijing has planned to comprehensively protect and develop the Ly Truong Thanh Cultural Ring Road, with a total area of 4,929.29km2, including heritage protection and ecological conservation.
