Archaeologists have discovered remnants of a Sui Dynasty (581-618) section of the Great Wall in Beijing for the first time, providing fresh insights into the ancient fortification's development in northern China and the region's early military defense system.
The discovery was announced at the Fourth Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Archaeological Academic Exchange, held in Beijing on Saturday. The discovery was made during an excavation at the Dalinggou site, an early-stage Great Wall military outpost in Changping district.
The excavations, conducted by the Beijing Institute of Archaeology from August to October, covered an area of 800 square meters. Archaeologists unearthed more than 60 ceramic and metal artifacts, including architectural components, items of daily use and weapons, dating to three historical periods: the Northern Qi Dynasty (550-577), the Sui Dynasty and the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234).
According to Shang Heng from the Beijing Institute of Archaeology, the project's lead archaeologist, the site was previously identified as part of the Northern Qi Great Wall following a nationwide survey. However, archaeological evidence has now established that it was also in use during the Sui Dynasty.
The conclusion is supported by discoveries of a Sui Dynasty wuzhu coin and a piece of porcelain displaying characteristics typical of the period. The wuzhu coin was a standard bronze cash coin in ancient China, famous for being the longest-circulating currency in Chinese history.
Geographical evidence further supports the finding. The Dalinggou site lies along the same defensive line as several previously identified Sui Dynasty Great Wall remains in neighboring provinces.
To the west, a stone inscription recording the construction of the Great Wall in the year 599 was found in Kelan county, Shanxi province. To the east, another inscription dating to 597 was found in Luanping county, Hebei province. A Sui Dynasty beacon tower has also been identified in Qianxi county, Hebei.
The Sui Dynasty was a short-lived but pivotal dynasty in Chinese history. It ended political division by reunifying China in 589 and laid the foundation for the Tang Dynasty (618-907).
