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Narrator:
THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA.
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00:00:04,972 --> 00:00:08,807
THE LONGEST, MOST EXPENSIVE
FORTIFICATION EVER BUILT.
3
00:00:08,809 --> 00:00:10,743
Man: NO MATTER WHAT
HEIGHT YOU CLIMB,
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00:00:10,745 --> 00:00:11,944
HOW GOOD YOUR EYES ARE,
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00:00:11,946 --> 00:00:13,712
NO MATTER HOW GOOD
YOUR BINOCULARS ARE,
6
00:00:13,714 --> 00:00:15,647
YOU CAN'T SEE IT ALL.
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00:00:15,649 --> 00:00:19,385
IT REALLY IS
A GEOGRAPHICAL WONDER.
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00:00:19,387 --> 00:00:22,621
Narrator: IT'S RECOGNIZED
ALL OVER THE WORLD,
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00:00:22,623 --> 00:00:26,358
BUT ITS CONSTRUCTION
IS STILL SHROUDED IN MYSTERY.
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00:00:28,029 --> 00:00:31,130
EVERY TIME I COME TO A PLACE
LIKE THIS ON THE GREAT WALL
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00:00:31,132 --> 00:00:34,133
WHERE IT STRETCHES
FOR MILES AND MILES,
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00:00:34,135 --> 00:00:36,035
I'M JUST BLOWN AWAY
EVERY SINGLE TIME.
13
00:00:38,105 --> 00:00:40,839
Narrator: WHAT DID IT TAKE
TO BUILD IT?
14
00:00:40,841 --> 00:00:43,542
WHO WAS IT BUILT TO KEEP OUT?
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00:00:43,544 --> 00:00:45,277
ALTHOUGH THEY WERE
FEW IN NUMBER,
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00:00:45,279 --> 00:00:47,746
THEY WERE THE MOST FEARED
WARRIORS IN THE WORLD.
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00:00:47,748 --> 00:00:51,250
Narrator:
THE ONLY WAY TO FIND OUT
IS TO BLOW THIS WALL APART.
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00:00:53,554 --> 00:00:56,722
DISMANTLING ITS DEFENSES,
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00:00:56,724 --> 00:00:58,557
AND PULLING APART
ITS TOWERS BRICK
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00:00:58,559 --> 00:01:01,393
BY BRICK WILL HELP US
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00:01:01,395 --> 00:01:04,329
UNEARTH THE ASTONISHING
ENGINEERING SECRETS
22
00:01:04,331 --> 00:01:06,665
AT THE HEART
OF THIS ANCIENT WONDER.
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00:01:06,667 --> 00:01:09,668
-- Captions by VITAC --
www.vitac.com
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00:01:09,670 --> 00:01:13,105
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY
DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
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THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA.
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00:01:15,843 --> 00:01:17,843
A VAST FORTIFICATION THAT,
IN TOTAL,
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STRETCHES OVER 13,000 MILES
ACROSS THE CONTINENT.
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00:01:24,752 --> 00:01:27,619
THIS IMMENSE MEGA-STRUCTURE
WAS A DEFENSIVE SHIELD
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00:01:27,621 --> 00:01:29,922
FOR THE WORLD'S
MOST POPULOUS NATION.
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00:01:32,059 --> 00:01:33,826
IT STRETCHES FROM SNOW-COVERED
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00:01:33,828 --> 00:01:37,629
DESERTS ALL THE WAY
TO THE YELLOW SEA
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AND WAS THE LARGEST
CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
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00:01:39,733 --> 00:01:41,433
THE WORLD HAD EVER SEEN.
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THIS WALL IS THE GREATEST MAN-
MADE STRUCTURE ON OUR PLANET.
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OVER A BILLION TOUGH
CLAY BRICKS HELPED IT
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00:01:53,314 --> 00:01:55,781
SURVIVE FOR CENTURIES.
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THE WALL RISES
ABOUT 23 FEET HIGH
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WITH TALL BATTLEMENTS
TO SHIELD DEFENDERS...
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00:02:03,023 --> 00:02:06,291
AND BUILT-IN ARROW LOOPS
FOR SHOOTING AT INVADERS.
40
00:02:08,462 --> 00:02:11,430
THIS MONUMENTAL BRICK STRUCTURE
IS THOUSANDS OF MILES
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00:02:11,432 --> 00:02:14,600
LONG AND STRETCHES
OVER 16 FEET WIDE...
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00:02:16,770 --> 00:02:20,272
...WITH TENS OF THOUSANDS OF
WATCH TOWERS STANDING GUARD.
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00:02:26,280 --> 00:02:29,681
FOR CENTURIES, IT WAS CHINA'S
FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE,
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00:02:29,683 --> 00:02:31,517
BUT THE CONSTRUCTION
OF THIS ICONIC
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BRICK WALL WASN'T THE FIRST TIME
THAT CHINA'S EMPERORS
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HAD BUILT A BARRICADE
ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
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00:02:35,990 --> 00:02:40,893
[ MAN VOCALIZING SPIRITUALLY ]
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00:02:40,895 --> 00:02:43,462
THEIR PREDECESSORS
ERECTED PRIMITIVE EARTH WALLS
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00:02:43,464 --> 00:02:46,064
OVER 1,500 YEARS
BEFORE THE FAMOUS
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00:02:46,066 --> 00:02:48,066
BRICK WALL WAS EVEN STARTED.
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00:02:50,237 --> 00:02:53,338
THE BIG MYSTERY --
WHAT DROVE CHINA'S RULERS
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00:02:53,340 --> 00:02:57,075
TO BUILD SUCH
MAMMOTH STRUCTURES?
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00:02:57,077 --> 00:02:58,944
QUITE BEAUTIFUL MOUNTAINS,
THESE,
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00:02:58,946 --> 00:03:02,080
AND MAKING
THE SCENERY MORE MAGNIFICENT
55
00:03:02,082 --> 00:03:03,282
IS THE WALL RIGHT HERE.
56
00:03:03,284 --> 00:03:06,418
THIS WAS THE ANCIENT FRONTIER.
57
00:03:06,420 --> 00:03:08,620
Narrator: WILLIAM LINDESAY
IS ONE OF THE WORLD'S
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FOREMOST GREAT WALL EXPERTS.
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00:03:11,792 --> 00:03:13,659
HE HAS WALKED
THE WALL'S LENGTH
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00:03:13,661 --> 00:03:15,794
TO INVESTIGATE
ITS MANY SECRETS.
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THE THOUSANDS
OF GREAT WALL MILES
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00:03:20,601 --> 00:03:21,867
UNDER WILLIAM'S BELT
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00:03:21,869 --> 00:03:23,735
HAVE GIVEN HIM
A UNIQUE UNDERSTANDING
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00:03:23,737 --> 00:03:25,470
OF ITS HISTORY.
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THIS WAY IS CHINA.
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00:03:27,107 --> 00:03:30,042
THIS WAY IS MONGOLIA,
THE NOMADIC LANDS.
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00:03:30,044 --> 00:03:32,811
THE CHINESE HAD A GOOD DEAL.
THEY COULD FARM.
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00:03:32,813 --> 00:03:34,379
THEY COULD PRODUCE
A LOT OF FOOD,
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MORE THAN THEY NEEDED.
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00:03:36,016 --> 00:03:38,183
PEOPLE IN THE NORTH, BAD DEAL.
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00:03:38,185 --> 00:03:39,685
IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO FARM THERE.
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THE GROWING SEASON IS TOO SHORT.
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Narrator: THE NOMADS LIVED
TO THE NORTH OF CHINA
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AND MOVED THEIR HERDS
WITH THE SEASONS.
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00:03:50,064 --> 00:03:52,898
THEY RAIDED CHINA ON HORSEBACK
TO GET A HOLD OF THE GOODS
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00:03:52,900 --> 00:03:57,069
AND FOODS THEY COULDN'T
PRODUCE THEMSELVES.
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00:03:57,071 --> 00:03:59,271
Lindesay: THE DROUGHT
OR A TERRIBLE WINTER
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00:03:59,273 --> 00:04:02,040
COULD DESTROY EVERYTHING
THE PEOPLE HAD,
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00:04:02,042 --> 00:04:05,811
AND THEN THEY HAD
A SURVIVAL CHALLENGE.
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00:04:05,813 --> 00:04:08,614
WHERE TO GO FOR RELIEF.
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00:04:08,616 --> 00:04:10,949
THEY DIDN'T GO NORTH TO SIBERIA.
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00:04:10,951 --> 00:04:15,187
THEY NATURALLY CAME SOUTH
AND TRESPASSED ON CHINESE LAND.
83
00:04:18,092 --> 00:04:21,660
THE NOMADS WERE NATURALLY
A CRACK ARMY.
84
00:04:21,662 --> 00:04:25,030
FROM CHILDHOOD,
THEY'RE RIDING HORSES --
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00:04:25,032 --> 00:04:27,799
EVEN WITHOUT SADDLES
AND STIRRUPS.
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00:04:27,801 --> 00:04:31,370
THIS KIND OF SCHOOLING
MADE THE NOMADS
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00:04:31,372 --> 00:04:34,773
THE MOST FEARED ARMY
IN THE WORLD.
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Narrator: TO MAKE THINGS WORSE
FOR THE CHINESE,
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THE NOMADS WEREN'T JUST
EXCELLENT HORSEMEN.
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THEY ARMED THEMSELVES
WITH AN INCREDIBLY
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00:04:44,218 --> 00:04:46,852
SOPHISTICATED WEAPON --
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00:04:46,854 --> 00:04:48,854
THE COMPOSITE BOW.
93
00:04:52,192 --> 00:04:55,460
YANG FUXI IS ONE OF
THE WORLD'S BEST BOWMAKERS.
94
00:04:59,500 --> 00:05:03,101
FOR TEN GENERATIONS, HIS FAMILY
HAS PRACTICED THIS ANCIENT,
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00:05:03,103 --> 00:05:04,736
NOBLE ART,
WHICH WAS THE KEY
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00:05:04,738 --> 00:05:07,739
TO MAKING THE NOMAD HORDE
SO DEVASTATING.
97
00:05:10,577 --> 00:05:13,178
MASTER YUNG'S TASK
IS TO CREATE A BOW
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00:05:13,180 --> 00:05:15,814
THAT STORES ENOUGH ENERGY
TO KILL A MAN.
99
00:05:18,352 --> 00:05:20,419
HIS FIRST STEP
IS TO CARVE OUT AND GLUE
100
00:05:20,421 --> 00:05:23,588
TOGETHER THE BOW'S WOODEN CORE.
101
00:05:23,590 --> 00:05:25,857
BUT WOOD ON ITS OWN
DOESN'T HAVE THE FLEX
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00:05:25,859 --> 00:05:29,094
AND STRENGTH TO PROPEL AN ARROW
TO A LETHAL SPEED.
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00:05:37,705 --> 00:05:39,471
THE SECRET THAT STOPS
THE WOODEN BOW
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00:05:39,473 --> 00:05:43,842
FROM SNAPPING IS
ITS CLEVER CONSTRUCTION.
105
00:05:43,844 --> 00:05:46,044
MASTER YUNG GLUES
A LAYER OF TOUGH
106
00:05:46,046 --> 00:05:47,913
BUFFALO HORN ONTO THE BOW
107
00:05:47,915 --> 00:05:50,115
TO MAKE THE WOODEN
CORE STRONGER.
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00:06:02,863 --> 00:06:04,629
TO GIVE THE BOW A BIGGER PUNCH,
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00:06:04,631 --> 00:06:08,367
HE GLUES TENDONS FROM A BULL'S
NECK ONTO THE OTHER SIDE.
110
00:06:31,058 --> 00:06:34,593
UPON RELEASE,
THE ARROW FLIES AWAY
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00:06:34,595 --> 00:06:38,330
AT AN ASTOUNDING
186 MILES PER HOUR.
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00:06:40,834 --> 00:06:44,970
HOW COULD THE CHINESE DEFEND
THOUSANDS OF MILES OF TERRITORY
113
00:06:44,972 --> 00:06:47,839
AGAINST THESE VICIOUS
NOMAD ATTACKS?
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00:06:53,758 --> 00:06:55,825
[ BIRDS CHIRPING ]
115
00:07:01,099 --> 00:07:03,800
Narrator: IN ORDER TO PROTECT
THE ANCIENT CHINESE
116
00:07:03,802 --> 00:07:05,468
FROM INVADING MONGOLIANS,
117
00:07:05,470 --> 00:07:07,804
AN ELABORATE BARRIER
THOUSANDS OF MILES
118
00:07:07,806 --> 00:07:09,572
LONG WAS CONSTRUCTED.
119
00:07:14,312 --> 00:07:16,012
BENEATH THE BRICK WE SEE TODAY
120
00:07:16,014 --> 00:07:19,149
LIE THE REMAINS
OF AN EARLIER EARTHEN WALL.
121
00:07:21,753 --> 00:07:25,922
LAYERS OF COMPACTED SOIL CREATED
A ROCK-HARD BARRICADE.
122
00:07:30,695 --> 00:07:33,663
THIN REED MATS
SEPARATED THE LAYERS
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00:07:33,665 --> 00:07:35,632
FOR STABILITY AND DRAINAGE.
124
00:07:37,936 --> 00:07:41,871
THESE MULTI-LAYERED EARTH WALLS
ROSE UP NEARLY 20 FEET TALL.
125
00:07:53,718 --> 00:07:56,619
SATELLITE IMAGERY REVEALS
THAT THESE FIRST WALLS
126
00:07:56,621 --> 00:07:58,454
STRETCHED FROM THE YELLOW SEA
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00:07:58,456 --> 00:08:01,157
ALL THE WAY TO THE DESERT
OF WESTERN CHINA.
128
00:08:03,995 --> 00:08:06,496
BUT HOW DID THE CHINESE
BUILD A WALL LIKE THIS
129
00:08:06,498 --> 00:08:07,764
IN A BARREN DESERT
130
00:08:07,766 --> 00:08:12,101
WITH NO OBVIOUS
BUILDING MATERIALS AROUND?
131
00:08:12,103 --> 00:08:14,470
Fairbrother:
EVERY TIME I COME TO A PLACE
LIKE THIS ON THE GREAT WALL
132
00:08:14,472 --> 00:08:16,773
WHERE IT STRETCHES
FOR MILES AND MILES,
133
00:08:16,775 --> 00:08:19,142
I'M JUST BLOWN AWAY
EVERY SINGLE TIME.
134
00:08:19,144 --> 00:08:21,778
Narrator: GREAT WALL EXPLORER
RICHARD FAIRBROTHER
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00:08:21,780 --> 00:08:24,214
IS IN CHINA'S
WESTERN DESERT.
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00:08:24,216 --> 00:08:27,917
HE'S SEARCHING FOR SECRETS
OF THE EARLIEST GREAT WALL,
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00:08:27,919 --> 00:08:31,020
WHICH WASN'T MADE OF BRICKS,
BUT OUT OF SOIL.
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00:08:31,022 --> 00:08:33,990
IT'S AMAZING TO THINK
ABOUT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE
139
00:08:33,992 --> 00:08:35,992
INVOLVED AND THE AMOUNT OF LABOR
140
00:08:35,994 --> 00:08:38,728
IT TOOK TO BUILD
SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
141
00:08:38,730 --> 00:08:40,630
Narrator: TO INVESTIGATE
HOW THE WALLS
142
00:08:40,632 --> 00:08:43,199
HAVE STOOD UP TO THESE
HARSH DESERT WINDS...
143
00:08:45,570 --> 00:08:48,605
...RICHARD IS GOING TO
RECONSTRUCT PART OF THE WALL.
144
00:08:51,509 --> 00:08:53,109
BUILDER MR. YUNG AND HIS TEAM
145
00:08:53,111 --> 00:08:55,878
ARE USING ORIGINAL METHODS
FOR THIS PROJECT.
146
00:08:57,816 --> 00:09:02,952
THE FINISHED STRUCTURE IS KNOWN
AS A RAMMED EARTH WALL.
147
00:09:02,954 --> 00:09:06,022
YOU BUILD THESE WALLS
BY LAYERS OF SOIL,
148
00:09:06,024 --> 00:09:07,657
AND THEN LAYERS OF THESE REEDS,
149
00:09:07,659 --> 00:09:11,661
AND YOU PUT THEM ON TOP THERE,
150
00:09:11,663 --> 00:09:13,730
AND THEN SPREAD THEM AROUND.
151
00:09:13,732 --> 00:09:16,299
ONE ANOTHER ADVANTAGE
OF THESE REEDS
152
00:09:16,301 --> 00:09:19,302
IS THAT THEY PROVIDE A
DRAINAGE MECHANISM FOR THE WALL.
153
00:09:19,304 --> 00:09:22,205
SO THE RAIN COMES DOWN
THROUGH THE SOIL,
154
00:09:22,207 --> 00:09:26,409
AND THEN IS PASSED OUT
BY THE STRUCTURE OF THESE REEDS.
155
00:09:28,780 --> 00:09:31,648
Narrator: EVEN WITH REEDS
FOR DRAINAGE, VIOLENT STORMS
156
00:09:31,650 --> 00:09:34,250
AND SCOURING WINDS
EVENTUALLY WEAR EVERYTHING
157
00:09:34,252 --> 00:09:37,086
TO DUST IN THIS
UNFORGIVING LANDSCAPE.
158
00:09:37,088 --> 00:09:39,789
SO, HOW ARE PARTS
OF THE WALL
159
00:09:39,791 --> 00:09:42,725
OVER 2,000 YEARS OLD
STILL STANDING?
160
00:09:44,429 --> 00:09:47,930
LAB TESTS REVEAL THAT
THE DESERT SOIL KNOWN AS "LESS"
161
00:09:47,932 --> 00:09:50,166
HAS A SPECIAL PROPERTY
THANKS IN PART
162
00:09:50,168 --> 00:09:54,370
TO THE CRUSHED SHELLS
OF LONG-DEAD SNAILS.
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00:09:54,372 --> 00:09:56,639
LESS IS RICH
IN CALCIUM CARBONATE,
164
00:09:56,641 --> 00:09:58,174
AND WHEN THAT'S
EXPOSED TO WATER,
165
00:09:58,176 --> 00:10:02,078
IT GIVES THE WALL OR THE SOIL
A SELF-CEMENTING CHARACTERISTIC.
166
00:10:02,080 --> 00:10:03,579
Narrator:
THE ANCIENT BUILDERS
167
00:10:03,581 --> 00:10:06,049
UNKNOWINGLY MADE USE
OF THIS CLEVER CHEMISTRY
168
00:10:06,051 --> 00:10:09,686
TO BUILD A WALL
THAT STOOD FOR MILLENNIA.
169
00:10:09,688 --> 00:10:11,254
THE PURPOSE OF THE RAMMING
170
00:10:11,256 --> 00:10:13,956
IS TO COMPRESS
THE LAYERS TOGETHER AND...
171
00:10:16,695 --> 00:10:18,795
...GIVE IT
THAT TREMENDOUS STRENGTH
172
00:10:18,797 --> 00:10:21,431
THAT THESE RAMMED-EARTH WALLS
ARE KNOWN FOR.
173
00:10:22,967 --> 00:10:26,769
IF YOU HAVE TO DO IT ALL DAY
LONG IN THE BLAZING DESERT SUN,
174
00:10:26,771 --> 00:10:30,606
I THINK YOU'D BE
PRETTY KNACKERED BY THE END.
175
00:10:35,347 --> 00:10:38,581
Narrator:
A TEAM OF 80 MEN COULD BUILD
OVER A HALF-MILE OF WALL
176
00:10:38,583 --> 00:10:40,316
IN JUST 7 DAYS.
177
00:10:42,754 --> 00:10:44,721
IT TOWERED ALMOST 20 FEET TALL
178
00:10:44,723 --> 00:10:47,657
AND KEPT ENEMIES
OUT OF CHINA FOR CENTURIES.
179
00:10:48,893 --> 00:10:50,660
AND THE ONLY WAY
THROUGH WAS TO CLIMB
180
00:10:50,662 --> 00:10:53,629
THE WALL UNDER A HAIL
OF LETHAL ARROWS.
181
00:10:53,631 --> 00:10:57,967
BY THE 16th CENTURY,
THINGS HAD CHANGED.
182
00:10:57,969 --> 00:11:02,572
CHINA'S ENEMIES HAD
MORE FEROCIOUS WEAPONS.
183
00:11:02,574 --> 00:11:04,440
AND THE OLD WALLS WERE LACKING.
184
00:11:10,982 --> 00:11:14,150
THEY ALREADY HAD A LOT OF WALL,
SO WHAT WAS THE NEXT OPTION?
185
00:11:14,152 --> 00:11:16,953
MORE WALL?
BETTER WALL?
186
00:11:16,955 --> 00:11:18,921
THAT WAS THE QUESTION
TO BE ANSWERED.
187
00:11:22,527 --> 00:11:24,293
Narrator: THE ONLY OPTION
WAS TO UNDERGO
188
00:11:24,295 --> 00:11:26,662
THE MOST AMBITIOUS
CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
189
00:11:26,664 --> 00:11:28,598
THE WORLD HAD EVER SEEN.
190
00:11:35,331 --> 00:11:37,264
Narrator: THE ORIGINAL
GREAT WALL OF CHINA
191
00:11:37,266 --> 00:11:41,569
WAS BUILT FROM MUD
OVER 2,000 YEARS AGO...
192
00:11:41,571 --> 00:11:44,071
AND CONSTRUCTED TO DEFEND
THE CHINESE EMPIRE
193
00:11:44,073 --> 00:11:46,841
AGAINST NOMAD ATTACK.
194
00:11:46,843 --> 00:11:49,643
BUT OVER THE CENTURIES,
AS WARFARE DEVELOPED,
195
00:11:49,645 --> 00:11:52,947
THIS EARTH WALL BECAME
A LESS FEARSOME OBSTACLE.
196
00:11:55,351 --> 00:11:57,618
MILITARY ADVANCED
FORCED THE CHINESE
197
00:11:57,620 --> 00:12:00,020
TO STRENGTHEN
THEIR LINE OF DEFENSE.
198
00:12:03,693 --> 00:12:06,627
HISTORIAN WILLIAM LINDESAY
IS WALKING THE GREAT WALL
199
00:12:06,629 --> 00:12:09,663
AT JIANKOU IN THE MOUNTAINS
NORTH OF BEIJING.
200
00:12:11,934 --> 00:12:14,602
HE'S TRYING TO UNDERSTAND
WHAT PROMPTED THE CHINESE
201
00:12:14,604 --> 00:12:17,304
TO UPGRADE THIS VAST
DEFENSIVE BARRIER.
202
00:12:17,306 --> 00:12:22,443
JUST 50 MILES OVER
THERE IS BEIJING.
203
00:12:22,445 --> 00:12:25,112
THAT WAS NOT
A VERY SAFE POSITION.
204
00:12:28,050 --> 00:12:31,552
IN 1550, THE MONGOLS STORMED
THROUGH THE WALL.
205
00:12:31,554 --> 00:12:34,989
[ SWORDS CLASHING ]
206
00:12:34,991 --> 00:12:37,825
AND THE VULNERABILITY
OF BEIJING'S POSITION
207
00:12:37,827 --> 00:12:40,194
CAME INTO PERSPECTIVE.
208
00:12:43,900 --> 00:12:46,734
Narrator:
THE MONGOLIAN NOMADS SURGED
THROUGH THESE MOUNTAINS
209
00:12:46,736 --> 00:12:50,971
TO THE LAND SURROUNDING
THE CHINESE CAPITAL, BEIJING.
210
00:12:50,973 --> 00:12:53,507
THEY DEVASTATED
THE CIVILIAN POPULATION,
211
00:12:53,509 --> 00:12:57,812
AND THE CHINESE RULING DYNASTY
FACED A HUGE DILEMMA.
212
00:12:57,814 --> 00:12:59,814
Lindesay:
THE COURT AND THE CORRIDORS
213
00:12:59,816 --> 00:13:02,983
OF POWER WERE ABSOLUTELY
SHAKING IN FEAR.
214
00:13:02,985 --> 00:13:06,487
THE QUESTION WAS, HOW COULD
THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA FAIL?
215
00:13:06,489 --> 00:13:12,560
Narrator: THE TIME HAD COME
FOR A NEW AND IMPROVED WALL.
216
00:13:12,562 --> 00:13:14,995
THE CHINESE BUILT
A VAST STRUCTURE
217
00:13:14,997 --> 00:13:18,632
USING BILLIONS OF TONS
OF SOLID STONE AND BRICKS.
218
00:13:21,737 --> 00:13:25,840
IT SAT ON A STURDY FOUNDATION
OF HUGE GRANITE BLOCKS.
219
00:13:27,910 --> 00:13:30,110
SMOOTH BRICKS MADE
THE SHEER WALLS
220
00:13:30,112 --> 00:13:32,112
ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SCALE.
221
00:13:35,384 --> 00:13:38,252
EMBATTLEMENTS PROTECTED
THE DEFENDERS AT THE TOP.
222
00:13:40,523 --> 00:13:42,857
RUBBLE WAS CRAMMED
BETWEEN THE BRICK FACES
223
00:13:42,859 --> 00:13:46,293
TO CREATE A STABLE CORE.
224
00:13:46,295 --> 00:13:49,463
AND SMOOTH STONES PAVED THE TOP.
225
00:13:49,465 --> 00:13:53,234
NEARLY 23 FEET HIGH
AND OVER 16 FEET THICK,
226
00:13:53,236 --> 00:13:55,536
THIS WALL WAS IMPENETRABLE.
227
00:13:58,341 --> 00:14:01,275
SO, HOW DID THE BUILDERS
PRODUCE ENOUGH BRICKS
228
00:14:01,277 --> 00:14:03,544
TO BUILD A WALL ACROSS CHINA?
229
00:14:03,546 --> 00:14:07,248
COLIN RICHARDS
HAS THE ANSWER.
230
00:14:07,250 --> 00:14:12,186
HE HAS SPENT HIS CAREER
CONSERVING BRICK BUILDINGS.
231
00:14:12,188 --> 00:14:15,990
TODAY, HE JOINS AN EXTRAORDINARY
$15 MILLION PROJECT
232
00:14:15,992 --> 00:14:20,027
TO RESTORE THIS
MAGNIFICENT STRUCTURE.
233
00:14:20,029 --> 00:14:23,230
ALONGSIDE AN EIGHT-MAN
RESTORATION CREW,
234
00:14:23,232 --> 00:14:26,433
HE'S USING ORIGINAL CONSTRUCTION
TECHNIQUES TO INVESTIGATE
235
00:14:26,435 --> 00:14:29,403
JUST HOW DIFFICULT IT WAS
TO BUILD THE GREAT WALL.
236
00:14:36,412 --> 00:14:39,980
ANY EXCESS,
THROW IT INTO THE MOLD.
237
00:14:39,982 --> 00:14:42,850
NOW WE JUST NEED TO MAKE SURE
IT GETS TO THE CORNERS.
238
00:14:42,852 --> 00:14:46,253
IF WE CAN GET THIS OFF EASY,
THEN WE'VE GOT A GOOD BRICK.
239
00:14:46,255 --> 00:14:50,157
Narrator: THE SECRET TO BUILDING
A WALL QUICKLY
240
00:14:50,159 --> 00:14:52,560
IS TO USE BIG BRICKS
MADE OF CLAY.
241
00:14:52,562 --> 00:14:56,997
THE BRICKS ON THE GREAT WALL
ARE FOUR TIMES LARGER
242
00:14:56,999 --> 00:14:59,433
THAN THE BRICKS WE USE TODAY
TO BUILD HOUSES.
243
00:14:59,435 --> 00:15:03,537
THE BIGGER YOU
CAN CREATE THEM,
244
00:15:03,539 --> 00:15:05,706
ALTHOUGH THEY'RE
VERY HEAVY TO MOVE,
245
00:15:05,708 --> 00:15:07,775
THEN THE QUICKER
YOU CAN BUILD THE WALL,
246
00:15:07,777 --> 00:15:11,745
BECAUSE YOU'RE SIMPLY STACKING
ONE ON TOP OF EACH OTHER.
247
00:15:11,747 --> 00:15:13,447
I'M HAPPY WITH THAT.
248
00:15:13,449 --> 00:15:17,151
WE CAN SMOOTH OUT THE SIDE.
249
00:15:17,153 --> 00:15:19,587
THAT CAN DRY OUT.
250
00:15:19,589 --> 00:15:21,388
IT'LL GO IN THE KILN,
251
00:15:21,390 --> 00:15:24,491
AND WE'LL HAVE ANOTHER BRICK
FOR THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA.
252
00:15:27,229 --> 00:15:29,964
Narrator: THE TEAM LEAVES
THE BRICKS TO DRY.
253
00:15:29,966 --> 00:15:31,265
NOW THEY NEED FIRING.
254
00:15:33,402 --> 00:15:35,803
Richards: WE'RE PUTTING
THE LAST FEW BRICKS
255
00:15:35,805 --> 00:15:37,237
ONTO THE TOP OF THE KILN,
256
00:15:37,239 --> 00:15:39,273
AND WE'VE LEFT SPACES
BETWEEN THEM SO THAT
257
00:15:39,275 --> 00:15:41,508
THE HEAT CAN COME UP
TO THE TOP OF THE KILN,
258
00:15:41,510 --> 00:15:45,012
STAY THERE BEFORE IT MAKES
ITS JOURNEY BACK DOWN AGAIN
259
00:15:45,014 --> 00:15:46,680
AND OUT THROUGH THE CHIMNEYS.
260
00:15:46,682 --> 00:15:48,849
AND WE'LL PUT A BIG LAYER
OF EARTH ONTO THE TOP,
261
00:15:48,851 --> 00:15:50,317
WHICH WILL INSULATE,
262
00:15:50,319 --> 00:15:53,654
KEEP THE HEAT IN
FOR AS LONG AS WE CAN.
263
00:15:53,656 --> 00:15:56,056
Narrator: IT TAKES COLIN AND
THE TEAM A MORNING OF HARD,
264
00:15:56,058 --> 00:15:59,026
PHYSICAL LABOR
JUST TO LOAD THE KILN.
265
00:15:59,028 --> 00:16:01,462
FIRING WILL FUSE
THE CLAY PARTICLES IN THE BRICKS
266
00:16:01,464 --> 00:16:03,697
TO MAKE THEM EXTREMELY TOUGH.
267
00:16:05,801 --> 00:16:07,167
WHEN THE WALL WAS FIRST BUILT,
268
00:16:07,169 --> 00:16:11,105
THOUSANDS OF KILNS
LIT UP THIS LANDSCAPE.
269
00:16:11,107 --> 00:16:13,874
TO PRODUCE PERFECTLY
FIRED BRICKS,
270
00:16:13,876 --> 00:16:16,610
COLIN AND THE TEAM RELY
ON THEIR YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
271
00:16:16,612 --> 00:16:20,347
TO CAREFULLY CONTROL
THE KILN'S TEMPERATURE.
272
00:16:20,349 --> 00:16:23,250
Richards: WE HAVE TO KEEP AN EYE
ON THE COLORS
273
00:16:23,252 --> 00:16:24,885
THAT THE BRICKS ARE GOING TO.
274
00:16:24,887 --> 00:16:27,755
WE GO THROUGH A SORT OF RED HOT,
275
00:16:27,757 --> 00:16:29,456
A YELLOW HOT, A WHITE HOT.
276
00:16:29,458 --> 00:16:31,225
AND ONCE WE'RE ON THE WHITE HOT,
277
00:16:31,227 --> 00:16:34,261
WE HAVE TO HOLD IT
AT THAT FOR 12 HOURS
278
00:16:34,263 --> 00:16:35,663
TO ENSURE THAT TEMPERATURE,
279
00:16:35,665 --> 00:16:38,065
WHICH IS AROUND
1,000 DEGREES,
280
00:16:38,067 --> 00:16:40,467
SPREADS THROUGH
THE STACKS OF BRICKS,
281
00:16:40,469 --> 00:16:42,503
AND THEN STOP THE FIRING.
282
00:16:45,207 --> 00:16:48,308
Narrator: THE BRICK KILN WORKS
THROUGH AN INGENIOUS DESIGN.
283
00:16:48,310 --> 00:16:50,411
THE FIRE ISN'T UNDER THE BRICKS,
284
00:16:50,413 --> 00:16:53,981
BUT BESIDE THEM IN A TUNNEL
THAT DRAWS IN FRESH AIR.
285
00:16:56,052 --> 00:16:59,186
THE KILN'S SHAPE FORCES
HOT AIR DOWN THROUGH THE BRICKS
286
00:16:59,188 --> 00:17:02,690
AND OUT OF THE THREE CHIMNEYS
SO THE BRICKS FIRE EVENLY.
287
00:17:11,500 --> 00:17:14,935
YEAH. 24 HOURS AFTER
THE SUCCESSFUL FIRING,
288
00:17:14,937 --> 00:17:18,472
THE CREW MUST HAUL THESE NEWLY
FIRED BRICKS UP TO THE WALL.
289
00:17:20,776 --> 00:17:23,010
SO HOW DID THE WALL'S
ORIGINAL BUILDERS
290
00:17:23,012 --> 00:17:24,378
MOVE BILLIONS OF BRICKS
291
00:17:24,380 --> 00:17:27,614
FROM THE KILNS TO THE TOP
OF HIGH MOUNTAIN PEAKS?
292
00:17:31,587 --> 00:17:35,155
Richards: THE TRANSPORTATION
OF THESE SORT OF HEAVY OBJECTS
293
00:17:35,157 --> 00:17:38,358
FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER,
YOU KNOW, IS VERY ARDUOUS.
294
00:17:40,396 --> 00:17:42,596
Narrator: JUST LIKE THEIR
ANCIENT COUNTERPARTS,
295
00:17:42,598 --> 00:17:44,498
COLIN AND THE TEAM
HAVE ONLY ONE OPTION
296
00:17:44,500 --> 00:17:47,301
TO GET THE WORK
DONE -- MANPOWER.
297
00:17:47,303 --> 00:17:49,603
Richards: WE NEED ALL THE LABOR
WE CAN GET
298
00:17:49,605 --> 00:17:51,939
BECAUSE THE MORE PEOPLE
YOU'VE GOT,
299
00:17:51,941 --> 00:17:54,942
THEN THE EASIER
THE TASK BECOMES.
300
00:17:56,779 --> 00:17:58,412
Narrator:
MORE THAN 1 MILLION MEN
301
00:17:58,414 --> 00:18:00,414
WERE PUT TO WORK
BUILDING THE WALL,
302
00:18:00,416 --> 00:18:02,516
CONSTANTLY FIRING,
TRANSPORTING,
303
00:18:02,518 --> 00:18:04,952
AND LAYING NEW BRICKS.
304
00:18:21,537 --> 00:18:23,937
TODAY, INVESTIGATORS
LIKE WILLIAM ARE TRYING
305
00:18:23,939 --> 00:18:27,241
TO SOLVE ANOTHER OF THE GREAT
WALL'S ENDURING MYSTERIES.
306
00:18:29,445 --> 00:18:34,915
HOW DID THE ARCHITECTS DETERMINE
THE BEST PATH AGAINST INVADERS?
307
00:18:34,917 --> 00:18:37,017
WHENEVER VISITORS
REACH THE WALL,
308
00:18:37,019 --> 00:18:39,186
THEY ALWAYS TEND TO ASK
THE SAME QUESTIONS.
309
00:18:39,188 --> 00:18:42,289
AND ONE OF THOSE QUESTIONS IS,
WHY IS THE WALL HERE
310
00:18:42,291 --> 00:18:45,425
AND NOT OVER THERE
OR OVER HERE?
311
00:18:45,427 --> 00:18:47,694
Narrator: WILLIAM STUDIES
THE LANDSCAPE AROUND
312
00:18:47,696 --> 00:18:49,563
THE GREAT WALL TO UNDERSTAND
313
00:18:49,565 --> 00:18:52,733
WHY THE CHINESE BUILT
WHERE THEY DID.
314
00:18:52,735 --> 00:18:54,535
Lindesay: FROM THE TOP
OF THIS WATCH TOWER,
315
00:18:54,537 --> 00:18:58,872
I CAN SEE PRECISELY
WHY THE WALL IS HERE.
316
00:18:58,874 --> 00:19:02,376
DOWN HERE, LOW GROUND,
ASCENDING, ASCENDING,
317
00:19:02,378 --> 00:19:04,111
AND THIS IS THE PEAK.
318
00:19:04,113 --> 00:19:07,214
AND THE WALL IS TAKING
THAT PEAK LINE
319
00:19:07,216 --> 00:19:08,882
TO THE PEAK OVER THERE.
320
00:19:08,884 --> 00:19:12,486
I MOVE TO THE RIGHT,
AND THE WALL DESCENDS.
321
00:19:12,488 --> 00:19:16,490
LEVEL OF THE MOUNTAINS
FALLS AWAY DRAMATICALLY.
322
00:19:16,492 --> 00:19:19,026
THIS IS THE ABSOLUTELY
PERFECT LINE
323
00:19:19,028 --> 00:19:20,494
FOR THIS SECTION OF WALL.
324
00:19:22,631 --> 00:19:25,499
Narrator: THE WALL'S BUILDERS
FOLLOWED THE HIGH GROUND,
325
00:19:25,501 --> 00:19:28,769
BUT THEIR PATH WAS NEVER
A SIMPLE, STRAIGHT LINE.
326
00:19:28,771 --> 00:19:31,905
Lindesay: INITIALLY, I COULDN'T
SEE ANY LOGIC
327
00:19:31,907 --> 00:19:36,043
IN THAT SEEMINGLY HAPHAZARD
ROUTE THAT THE WALL TOOK.
328
00:19:36,045 --> 00:19:38,745
BUT ACTUALLY,
ALL OF THESE TWISTS
329
00:19:38,747 --> 00:19:42,182
AND TURNS, I BELIEVE,
ARE FOR A PURPOSE.
330
00:19:42,184 --> 00:19:45,919
IT IMPROVED THEIR OPPORTUNITIES
IN TERMS OF LINES OF FIRE.
331
00:19:45,921 --> 00:19:48,255
NOT ONLY IN THE FACES
OF THE ENEMY,
332
00:19:48,257 --> 00:19:51,058
BUT FROM THE SIDE.
333
00:19:51,060 --> 00:19:53,427
NO ENEMY IN THEIR RIGHT MIND
334
00:19:53,429 --> 00:19:57,664
WOULD WANT TO FIGHT
WITH THE CHINESE RIGHT HERE.
335
00:20:02,404 --> 00:20:05,806
Narrator:
THE CHINESE BUILT THE GREAT WALL
TO FOLLOW THE TERRAIN,
336
00:20:05,808 --> 00:20:10,577
RISING 4,921 FEET
TO THE TOPS OF MOUNTAINS.
337
00:20:15,818 --> 00:20:19,319
THEY POSITIONED WATCH TOWERS
492 FEET APART
338
00:20:19,321 --> 00:20:21,455
TO MAXIMIZE THEIR KILL ZONES.
339
00:20:24,593 --> 00:20:26,727
AND CLEARED THE TREES
FOR TWO MILES
340
00:20:26,729 --> 00:20:29,429
SO RAIDERS WERE IN CLEAR VIEW.
341
00:20:29,431 --> 00:20:33,267
SPURS EXTENDED THE LINE OF SIGHT
TO GUARD AGAINST ATTACKS.
342
00:20:39,875 --> 00:20:43,911
THE WALL WAS A HUGE
PHYSICAL BARRIER.
343
00:20:43,913 --> 00:20:46,880
BUT WITHOUT SOLDIERS,
IT WASN'T STOPPING ANYBODY.
344
00:20:49,551 --> 00:20:52,085
HAD THE CHINESE JUST
BUILT A WALL IN THE HOPE
345
00:20:52,087 --> 00:20:54,988
THAT THAT WOULD KEEP THE NOMADS
ON THEIR HORSES OUT,
346
00:20:54,990 --> 00:20:57,691
THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN
COMPLETELY USELESS.
347
00:20:57,693 --> 00:21:01,295
THE WALL HAD TO BE
PERMANENTLY GARRISONED,
348
00:21:01,297 --> 00:21:02,729
ACTIVELY MANNED.
349
00:21:05,567 --> 00:21:07,267
Narrator:
JUST HOW MANY WARRIORS
350
00:21:07,269 --> 00:21:11,071
WOULD IT TAKE TO PATROL
THIS MASSIVE WALL?
351
00:21:11,073 --> 00:21:13,273
AND WHERE WERE THEY
ALL GOING TO LIVE?
352
00:21:21,346 --> 00:21:25,048
Narrator:
THE CHINESE CONSTRUCTED HUGE
SECTIONS OF THE 16th CENTURY
353
00:21:25,050 --> 00:21:27,283
GREAT WALL
FROM BRICKS AND MORTAR.
354
00:21:29,421 --> 00:21:31,154
IT PRESENTED
A FORMIDABLE BARRIER
355
00:21:31,156 --> 00:21:32,388
TO CHINA'S ENEMIES.
356
00:21:34,526 --> 00:21:37,326
BUT WITH NO ARMY
TO REPEL THESE ATTACKERS,
357
00:21:37,328 --> 00:21:39,529
THE WALL ALONE WAS NOT ENOUGH.
358
00:21:40,932 --> 00:21:44,934
THE PERFORMANCE OF THE WALL
DEPENDED ON WHO WAS MANNING IT,
359
00:21:44,936 --> 00:21:47,737
HOW MANY MEN THERE WERE.
360
00:21:47,739 --> 00:21:50,273
Narrator: WILLIAM LINDESAY
IS AT JINSHANGLING,
361
00:21:50,275 --> 00:21:52,241
NORTH OF BEIJING,
TO INVESTIGATE
362
00:21:52,243 --> 00:21:54,143
HOW THE CHINESE
MANNED THIS WALL
363
00:21:54,145 --> 00:21:56,245
WITH A MILLION SOLDIERS.
364
00:21:56,247 --> 00:21:59,415
Lindesay: I BELIEVE THIS IS
THE PROTOTYPE SECTION
365
00:21:59,417 --> 00:22:02,785
FOR THE REDESIGN OF THE WALL.
366
00:22:02,787 --> 00:22:07,623
NOWHERE ELSE DO YOU FIND
THE TOWERS SO CLOSE TOGETHER.
367
00:22:07,625 --> 00:22:09,559
Narrator: THE CHINESE BUILT
THE BRICK WALL
368
00:22:09,561 --> 00:22:13,729
WITH THESE TOWERS
JUST 492 FEET APART.
369
00:22:13,731 --> 00:22:18,267
Lindesay:
TOWERS LIKE THESE PROBABLY
ACCOMMODATED 20 TO 30 MEN.
370
00:22:18,269 --> 00:22:20,937
I FOUND FIGURES EARLY 1600s
371
00:22:20,939 --> 00:22:26,309
OF 120 PER KILOMETER.
372
00:22:26,311 --> 00:22:29,712
PRETTY INTENSE GARRISON LEVELS.
373
00:22:29,714 --> 00:22:32,782
Narrator: LIVING HUNDREDS OF
MILES FROM CIVILIZATION,
374
00:22:32,784 --> 00:22:36,919
HOW DID THESE SOLDIERS
SURVIVE IN NEAR ISOLATION?
375
00:22:36,921 --> 00:22:39,655
THE ANSWER LIES INSIDE THE WALL.
376
00:22:42,660 --> 00:22:45,828
TENS OF THOUSANDS OF TOWERS
HOUSED THE TROOPS.
377
00:22:50,735 --> 00:22:52,668
EACH TOWER'S
FIRST FLOOR SLEPT UP
378
00:22:52,670 --> 00:22:56,038
TO 30 SOLDIERS ON STONE BEDS,
379
00:22:56,040 --> 00:22:58,174
WHILE COAL FIRES
KEPT THE ROOMS WARM
380
00:22:58,176 --> 00:23:01,410
DURING FREEZING WINTERS.
381
00:23:01,412 --> 00:23:03,513
WALLS 36 FEET HIGH AND OVER
382
00:23:03,515 --> 00:23:06,015
3 FEET THICK
PROTECTED THE SOLDIERS,
383
00:23:06,017 --> 00:23:10,153
AND WINDOWS ALLOWED
FOR A CONSTANT LOOKOUT.
384
00:23:10,155 --> 00:23:13,389
ON THE UPPER LEVEL, A WEAPONS
STORE KEPT THE SOLDIERS ARMED
385
00:23:13,391 --> 00:23:16,159
WHEN THEY FACED AN ATTACK.
386
00:23:16,161 --> 00:23:17,960
THESE TOWERS GARRISONED
THE ARMIES
387
00:23:17,962 --> 00:23:20,830
THAT STOOD GUARD
ON THE WALL ALL YEAR ROUND.
388
00:23:27,972 --> 00:23:31,307
THE GREAT WALL AND ITS THOUSANDS
OF TOWERS CONTAIN
389
00:23:31,309 --> 00:23:34,243
MORE BRICKS THAN ANY OTHER
BUILDING ON THE PLANET.
390
00:23:36,481 --> 00:23:38,447
RESTORATION EXPERT
COLIN RICHARDS
391
00:23:38,449 --> 00:23:42,852
IS HELPING A CREW REBUILD
A DERELICT SECTION OF WALL.
392
00:23:42,854 --> 00:23:45,321
THE CREW HAS MADE NEW BRICKS.
393
00:23:45,323 --> 00:23:48,157
NOW THEY MUST FIX THEM
TOGETHER WITH MORTAR.
394
00:23:48,159 --> 00:23:52,295
THIS MORTAR CAN BE INCREDIBLY
HARD, AND IN SOME INSTANCES,
395
00:23:52,297 --> 00:23:54,497
HARDER THAN
THE BRICKS THEMSELVES.
396
00:23:54,499 --> 00:23:56,699
AND I'VE GOT A PICTURE HERE
WHICH SHOWS THE MORTAR
397
00:23:56,701 --> 00:23:59,268
STANDING PROUD OF THE BRICKS.
398
00:23:59,270 --> 00:24:02,338
Narrator:
IN SECTIONS, THE GREAT WALL'S
BRICKS HAVE ERODED AWAY,
399
00:24:02,340 --> 00:24:06,275
LEAVING A LATTICE
OF THE STRONGER MORTAR BEHIND.
400
00:24:06,277 --> 00:24:09,078
Richards: THEY'VE ERODED BEYOND
THE FACE OF THE WALL,
401
00:24:09,080 --> 00:24:11,514
AND IT JUST DEMONSTRATES
402
00:24:11,516 --> 00:24:14,183
WHAT AN INCREDIBLE
MATERIAL THIS IS.
403
00:24:14,185 --> 00:24:17,186
Narrator: THE MIX OF THE MORTAR
REMAINS A MYSTERY.
404
00:24:17,188 --> 00:24:20,856
THERE'S NO WRITTEN RECORD
OF THE ORIGINAL RECIPE.
405
00:24:20,858 --> 00:24:22,825
BUT COLIN'S HEARD
FROM THE LOCAL FARMERS
406
00:24:22,827 --> 00:24:26,395
THAT THE KEY TO ITS STRENGTH LAY
IN A SURPRISING INGREDIENT --
407
00:24:26,397 --> 00:24:28,097
RICE.
408
00:24:29,500 --> 00:24:32,268
TO INVESTIGATE, COLIN USES
A CRUDE TECHNIQUE
409
00:24:32,270 --> 00:24:34,604
TO ANALYZE
THE MORTAR'S CONTENTS.
410
00:24:37,308 --> 00:24:39,675
IF YOU TAKE A LUMP
OF THE ORIGINAL MORTAR
411
00:24:39,677 --> 00:24:42,378
AND BREAK IT DOWN
AS FINELY AS YOU CAN
412
00:24:42,380 --> 00:24:45,615
AND THEN ADD IT TO WATER,
AGITATE THE MIX,
413
00:24:45,617 --> 00:24:50,119
THEN YOU SHOULD GET VARIOUS
SETTLEMENT OF DIFFERENT LAYERS,
414
00:24:50,121 --> 00:24:52,221
AND THAT WILL ALLOW
YOU TO IDENTIFY
415
00:24:52,223 --> 00:24:55,958
WHAT THE MIX WAS CONSTRUCTED OF.
416
00:24:55,960 --> 00:24:59,595
Narrator:
HE LEAVES THE CRUSHED MORTAR
TO SETTLE FOR THREE HOURS,
417
00:24:59,597 --> 00:25:02,031
AND THEN CHECKS IT.
418
00:25:02,033 --> 00:25:05,301
WHAT IS SURPRISING IS
THAT WE CAN SEE THAT THERE IS
419
00:25:05,303 --> 00:25:08,104
QUITE A LOT OF AGGREGATE
IN THE MORTAR.
420
00:25:08,106 --> 00:25:09,639
YOU KNOW, THERE'S SAND.
421
00:25:09,641 --> 00:25:12,875
THERE'S SORT OF CRUSHED STONE,
THERE'S SILT.
422
00:25:12,877 --> 00:25:18,147
SO THERE WAS A LOT OF SORT OF
BINDING MATERIAL IN THE MORTAR,
423
00:25:18,149 --> 00:25:22,118
AND THAT IS REALLY INTERESTING
BECAUSE IT'S A VERY STRONG MIX.
424
00:25:22,120 --> 00:25:23,519
Narrator:
THE AGGREGATE IN THE MIX
425
00:25:23,521 --> 00:25:26,455
MAKES THE MORTAR PACK
TOGETHER TIGHTLY,
426
00:25:26,457 --> 00:25:28,457
BUT COLIN TRUSTS
WHAT LOCALS SAID
427
00:25:28,459 --> 00:25:30,293
ABOUT THE STICKY RICE WATER.
428
00:25:32,864 --> 00:25:35,698
Richards: IN THIS PART OF CHINA,
RICE WAS IN ABUNDANCE,
429
00:25:35,700 --> 00:25:38,467
AND THEY FOUND THAT
IF THEY ADDED IT TO THE MORTAR,
430
00:25:38,469 --> 00:25:40,369
NOT ONLY WOULD IT
SET MORE QUICKLY,
431
00:25:40,371 --> 00:25:42,038
BUT IT WAS FAR MORE DURABLE.
432
00:25:42,040 --> 00:25:45,508
Narrator: COLIN IS MAKING
A BATCH OF STICKY RICE
433
00:25:45,510 --> 00:25:47,710
MORTAR FOR HIS OWN BRICKS.
434
00:25:47,712 --> 00:25:49,979
Richards:
WE NEED TO BOIL THIS WATER
435
00:25:49,981 --> 00:25:52,248
AND GET IT SORT OF
BUBBLING QUITE QUICKLY,
436
00:25:52,250 --> 00:25:53,916
AND THEN ADD OUR RICE TO IT.
437
00:25:56,020 --> 00:25:58,888
Narrator: SCIENTISTS BELIEVE
THAT THE STARCH IN THE RICE
438
00:25:58,890 --> 00:26:01,791
GAVE THE MORTAR
ITS EXTRA STRENGTH.
439
00:26:01,793 --> 00:26:05,161
COLIN MIXES HIS FRESH
MORTAR USING LIME, SAND,
440
00:26:05,163 --> 00:26:09,665
AND HIS SPECIALLY
PREPARED STICKY RICE WATER.
441
00:26:09,667 --> 00:26:13,469
Richards: WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS
TRY TO LAY A BED OF MORTAR
442
00:26:13,471 --> 00:26:16,072
SO THAT THE MORTAR SPREADS
TO THE EDGES.
443
00:26:16,074 --> 00:26:18,274
IF IT'S TOO THICK,
IT WON'T DO THAT.
444
00:26:18,276 --> 00:26:20,710
IF IT'S TOO WET,
IT JUST SPILLS OVER THE SIDES.
445
00:26:20,712 --> 00:26:23,546
SO GETTING IT ABSOLUTELY
RIGHT IS CRITICAL
446
00:26:23,548 --> 00:26:26,682
TO THE QUALITY OF THE MORTAR.
447
00:26:26,684 --> 00:26:28,317
Narrator:
WORKING LIKE THIS,
448
00:26:28,319 --> 00:26:30,619
THE WALL BUILDERS
COULD STACK BRICKS HIGH
449
00:26:30,621 --> 00:26:32,688
AND BUILD THE THOUSANDS
OF TALL TOWERS
450
00:26:32,690 --> 00:26:34,457
NEEDED TO SHELTER
THE GREAT WALL'S
451
00:26:34,459 --> 00:26:36,225
VAST STANDING ARMY.
452
00:26:39,931 --> 00:26:42,898
THESE FIGHTING MEN,
FAR AWAY FROM CIVILIZATION,
453
00:26:42,900 --> 00:26:45,868
STOOD ALONE
AGAINST NOMAD ATTACK.
454
00:26:47,271 --> 00:26:50,539
WILLIAM LINDESAY IS EXPLORING
455
00:26:50,541 --> 00:26:53,476
HOW THE WALL'S ARCHITECTURE
KEPT THE MEN SAFE,
456
00:26:53,478 --> 00:26:55,578
EVEN WHEN THE NOMADS INVADED.
457
00:26:57,682 --> 00:27:02,284
JUST IMAGINE,
YOU'RE A CHINESE DEFENDER.
458
00:27:02,286 --> 00:27:05,087
HERE YOU STAND.
459
00:27:05,089 --> 00:27:08,724
AS AN ATTACKER,
I DON'T STAND A CHANCE.
460
00:27:08,726 --> 00:27:11,427
THE DEFENDER IS
SIX FEET ABOVE ME.
461
00:27:11,429 --> 00:27:15,364
SWITCH POSITION.
462
00:27:15,366 --> 00:27:17,233
GOT THE HEIGHT ADVANTAGE.
463
00:27:17,235 --> 00:27:18,934
LEFT HAND THE SHIELD,
464
00:27:18,936 --> 00:27:22,938
HERE, THE SWORD,
A SPEAR, A CUDGEL.
465
00:27:22,940 --> 00:27:26,809
THIS IS REALLY A BRILLIANT
ACCESSORY FORTIFICATION.
466
00:27:28,546 --> 00:27:33,015
Narrator:
BUT HAND-TO-HAND COMBAT
WASN'T THE ONLY FORM OF DEFENSE.
467
00:27:33,017 --> 00:27:35,851
CHINESE TECHNOLOGICAL PROWESS
PROVIDED THE SOLDIERS
468
00:27:35,853 --> 00:27:39,121
WITH A FORMIDABLE
ARSENAL OF WEAPONS.
469
00:27:39,123 --> 00:27:41,557
THIS TERRACE IS ACTUALLY
A CANNON PLATFORM.
470
00:27:41,559 --> 00:27:43,325
OF COURSE, THE CANNON'S GONE,
471
00:27:43,327 --> 00:27:46,429
BUT THE BARREL WOULD BE HERE.
472
00:27:46,431 --> 00:27:49,064
YOU MIGHT THINK THIS BIG BOOMER
473
00:27:49,066 --> 00:27:52,234
IS THE MOST DEVASTATING
WEAPON ON THE WALL.
474
00:27:52,236 --> 00:27:54,970
ACTUALLY, IT CREATES
A LOT OF NOISE.
475
00:27:54,972 --> 00:27:57,039
IT HAS THE FEAR FACTOR,
476
00:27:57,041 --> 00:28:00,242
BUT IT TAKES SO LONG TO RELOAD.
477
00:28:00,244 --> 00:28:04,346
SO SLOW AND SO FINICKY
IN THE WINDY, WET WEATHER.
478
00:28:04,348 --> 00:28:07,683
IT'S ACTUALLY NOT
THE MOST RELIABLE WEAPON.
479
00:28:07,685 --> 00:28:10,619
Narrator: FOR SOMETHING MORE
VERSATILE THAN THE CANNON,
480
00:28:10,621 --> 00:28:13,756
THE SOLDIERS ON THE WALL
EMPLOYED A FAR MORE ACCURATE
481
00:28:13,758 --> 00:28:15,157
AND DEADLY TOOL...
482
00:28:17,862 --> 00:28:19,462
...THE CROSSBOW.
483
00:28:19,464 --> 00:28:21,464
[ BOW CREAKING ]
484
00:28:21,466 --> 00:28:23,799
THIS FEROCIOUS WEAPON
WAS MORE THAN A MATCH
485
00:28:23,801 --> 00:28:26,302
FOR THE NOMAD'S COMPOSITE BOWS,
486
00:28:26,304 --> 00:28:28,871
AND IT WAS THE WEAPON OF CHOICE
FOR THE CHINESE SOLDIERS
487
00:28:28,873 --> 00:28:30,039
MANNING THE WALL.
488
00:28:39,450 --> 00:28:41,750
YANG FUXI HAS A COPY
489
00:28:41,752 --> 00:28:43,819
OF THE CROSSBOW'S
TRIGGER MECHANISM,
490
00:28:43,821 --> 00:28:45,588
A WONDER OF ITS AGE.
491
00:29:02,039 --> 00:29:07,109
THE CROSSBOW TRIGGER WAS THE
WORLD'S FIRST MECHANICAL WEAPON.
492
00:29:07,111 --> 00:29:09,712
IT RELEASED THE BOLT
IN A SPLIT SECOND TO FIRE
493
00:29:09,714 --> 00:29:11,247
WITH INCREDIBLE ACCURACY.
494
00:29:13,284 --> 00:29:15,751
SOLDIERS OFTEN DIPPED
BOLTS IN POISON
495
00:29:15,753 --> 00:29:18,320
TO MAKE SURE THAT EVEN
A SCRATCH WAS FATAL.
496
00:29:19,357 --> 00:29:20,422
[ MAN SCREAMS ]
497
00:29:23,160 --> 00:29:25,728
THE WATCH TOWERS
PROTRUDED FROM THE WALL.
498
00:29:25,730 --> 00:29:27,863
THIS WAY, ITS DEFENDERS
COULD CATCH ATTACKERS
499
00:29:27,865 --> 00:29:29,865
IN A DEADLY CROSSFIRE.
500
00:29:29,867 --> 00:29:31,500
[ MEN SHOUTING ]
501
00:29:34,138 --> 00:29:37,506
BEHIND THE WALL BATTLEMENTS,
SOLDIERS DROPPED STONE BOMBS
502
00:29:37,508 --> 00:29:39,508
AND FIRED CANNONS.
503
00:29:39,510 --> 00:29:40,609
[ EXPLOSIONS ]
504
00:29:43,681 --> 00:29:46,782
BUT THE CROSSBOW WAS STILL
THE WEAPON OF CHOICE.
505
00:29:54,592 --> 00:29:57,860
THE CHINESE CREATED
AN INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION LINE
506
00:29:57,862 --> 00:30:01,263
TO CAST CROSSBOW TRIGGERS
BY THE THOUSANDS.
507
00:30:01,265 --> 00:30:03,499
ITS INCREDIBLE DESIGN
MEANT THAT THE CHINESE
508
00:30:03,501 --> 00:30:06,335
COULD DEPLOY
A VAST ARMY OF SOLDIERS
509
00:30:06,337 --> 00:30:07,937
WHO COULD OPERATE THE CROSSBOW
510
00:30:07,939 --> 00:30:10,239
WITHOUT EITHER
SKILL OR STRENGTH.
511
00:30:32,830 --> 00:30:35,864
BUT WEAPONS ALONE
COULDN'T DETER THE RAIDERS.
512
00:30:35,866 --> 00:30:39,168
CLANDESTINE MEASURES
WOULD BE NECESSARY.
513
00:30:47,233 --> 00:30:48,899
Narrator: THE GREAT WALL
OF CHINA WAS
514
00:30:48,901 --> 00:30:50,934
STRATEGICALLY DESIGNED
FOR SOLDIERS
515
00:30:50,936 --> 00:30:52,903
AND THEIR WEAPONS OF WAR.
516
00:30:52,905 --> 00:30:56,039
THIS HOLE WAS FOR
ANCHORING THE CROSSBOW.
517
00:30:56,041 --> 00:30:57,474
A STANDARD BOW MOUNTED
518
00:30:57,476 --> 00:30:59,343
ON A STOCK,
UNDERNEATH IS A KNOB.
519
00:30:59,345 --> 00:31:01,311
IT GOES IN THERE,
AND IT ALLOWS THE USER
520
00:31:01,313 --> 00:31:03,514
TO QUICKLY LEAVE A BACK RELOAD,
521
00:31:03,516 --> 00:31:06,917
WAIT UNTIL HE SEES
HIS TARGET, AND FIRE.
522
00:31:11,857 --> 00:31:13,457
Narrator:
BUT THE MIGHTY CROSSBOW
523
00:31:13,459 --> 00:31:16,493
COULD ONLY PROTECT
THE WARRIORS FOR SO LONG.
524
00:31:16,495 --> 00:31:19,263
ISOLATED IN SMALL WATCH TOWERS
HIGH IN THE MOUNTAINS
525
00:31:19,265 --> 00:31:20,898
AND DEEP IN THE DESERTS...
526
00:31:22,835 --> 00:31:24,334
...THE SOLDIERS WERE SOMETIMES
527
00:31:24,336 --> 00:31:28,071
IN NEED OF SUPPORT
FROM THEIR COMRADES.
528
00:31:28,073 --> 00:31:30,240
SO, IMAGINE BEING
A CHINESE SOLDIER
529
00:31:30,242 --> 00:31:31,842
STATIONED ON THE WALL.
530
00:31:31,844 --> 00:31:34,411
SUDDENLY OVER THE HORIZON
COMES 300,
531
00:31:34,413 --> 00:31:37,548
400 HORSEMEN WITH DUST
TRAILING BEHIND THEM.
532
00:31:37,550 --> 00:31:39,616
YOU HAVE TO WONDER
WHAT ON EARTH THEY WOULD DO
533
00:31:39,618 --> 00:31:42,085
WHEN THEY SAW
SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
534
00:31:42,087 --> 00:31:44,555
Narrator: GREAT WALL EXPLORER
RICHARD FAIRBROTHER
535
00:31:44,557 --> 00:31:48,225
IS AT THE EDGE
OF THE GOBI DESERT.
536
00:31:48,227 --> 00:31:50,594
HE'S LOOKING FOR EVIDENCE
OF THE INTELLIGENCE NETWORK
537
00:31:50,596 --> 00:31:54,231
THAT KEPT THE MEN
IN THE WATCH TOWERS CONNECTED.
538
00:31:54,233 --> 00:31:57,835
OVER THE CREST OF THIS HILL
IS AN ANCIENT BEACON TOWER,
539
00:31:57,837 --> 00:32:00,204
AND THE SOLDIERS ON THE BEACON
TOWERS HAD ONE JOB,
540
00:32:00,206 --> 00:32:01,705
AND THAT WAS TO LOOK OUT
FOR THE ENEMY,
541
00:32:01,707 --> 00:32:04,141
AND WHEN YOU SAW THEM COMING,
RAISE THE ALARM.
542
00:32:05,611 --> 00:32:07,578
Narrator: THE CHINESE NEEDED
A WAY TO DEFEND
543
00:32:07,580 --> 00:32:10,614
AGAINST THE NOMADS'
LIGHTNING SPEED.
544
00:32:10,616 --> 00:32:14,084
THEIR SOLUTION -- SIGNALING.
545
00:32:16,155 --> 00:32:20,324
EACH OF THESE FLAGS
REPRESENTED 500 HORSEMEN.
546
00:32:20,326 --> 00:32:23,927
AND SO IN THIS CASE,
YOU HAVE THREE FLAGS.
547
00:32:23,929 --> 00:32:27,698
SO THAT MEANS 1,500 HORSEMEN
COMING ON THE HORIZON.
548
00:32:29,735 --> 00:32:32,302
Narrator: THE SIGNALING SYSTEM
ALLOWED CHINESE INTELLIGENCE
549
00:32:32,304 --> 00:32:35,305
TO TRACK THE NOMADS'
RAPID MOVEMENTS.
550
00:32:35,307 --> 00:32:38,108
SO I'M HOPING THAT THE GUYS
AT THE NEXT TOWER
551
00:32:38,110 --> 00:32:39,810
ARE PAYING ATTENTION
AND NOTICE
552
00:32:39,812 --> 00:32:44,047
THAT THERE'S 1,500 WARRIORS
COMING ACROSS THE HORIZON.
553
00:32:44,049 --> 00:32:47,050
Narrator: THE TOWER GUARDS
WOULD ALSO SEND SMOKE SIGNALS
554
00:32:47,052 --> 00:32:50,187
TO RAM THE MESSAGE HOME.
555
00:32:50,189 --> 00:32:52,456
THIS RAPID RESPONSE
TO A NOMAD ATTACK
556
00:32:52,458 --> 00:32:55,292
WAS CRUCIAL
TO THE DEFENSE OF THE WALL
557
00:32:55,294 --> 00:32:57,861
AND TO THE DEFENSE OF CHINA.
558
00:32:57,863 --> 00:32:59,830
Fairbrother: GREAT WALL'S NOT
JUST A DEFENSIVE STRUCTURE.
559
00:32:59,832 --> 00:33:02,065
IT'S ALSO PART OF
AN INTELLIGENCE NETWORK.
560
00:33:02,067 --> 00:33:04,067
ON THAT SIDE,
NOMADIC WARRIORS
561
00:33:04,069 --> 00:33:05,669
CONSTANTLY LOOKING FOR PLACES
562
00:33:05,671 --> 00:33:07,404
THAT THEY CAN ATTACK
WITH SURPRISE.
563
00:33:07,406 --> 00:33:09,439
AND ON THE WALL,
THE CHINESE SOLDIERS
564
00:33:09,441 --> 00:33:11,041
LOOKING OUT FOR THE SIGNS
OF THAT ATTACK.
565
00:33:11,043 --> 00:33:13,210
IF THEY SEE IT,
THEY RAISE THE ALARM DOWN
566
00:33:13,212 --> 00:33:15,412
THE NETWORK OF BEACON TOWERS.
567
00:33:15,414 --> 00:33:17,848
Narrator: THIS SYSTEM
OF WATCH TOWERS
568
00:33:17,850 --> 00:33:20,918
AND SIGNALING STATIONS
NEEDED TO BE IMPENETRABLE.
569
00:33:20,920 --> 00:33:23,420
STRETCHING RIGHT ALONG
CHINA'S NORTHERN FRONTIER
570
00:33:23,422 --> 00:33:27,424
TO ITS END POINT 72 FEET
INTO THE YELLOW SEA.
571
00:33:27,426 --> 00:33:29,526
THANKS TO ITS
INGENIOUS DESIGN,
572
00:33:29,528 --> 00:33:31,929
THIS STRUCTURE
IS STILL STANDING.
573
00:33:35,868 --> 00:33:39,303
KNOWN AS THE DRAGON'S HEAD,
SOLID GRANITE STRIPS,
574
00:33:39,305 --> 00:33:40,971
EACH WEIGHING OVER THREE TONS,
575
00:33:40,973 --> 00:33:43,540
PROVIDE THE BULK
TO FIGHT OFF THE WAVES.
576
00:33:46,312 --> 00:33:50,881
IRON CLAMPS LOCK THEM
SECURELY TOGETHER.
577
00:33:50,883 --> 00:33:52,916
AND JOINTS CARVED
INTO THE STONES
578
00:33:52,918 --> 00:33:54,184
FIXED THE LAYERS TIGHT
579
00:33:54,186 --> 00:33:56,320
TO STOP THEM DRIFTING
WITH THE TIDE.
580
00:34:02,294 --> 00:34:06,063
NINE LAYERS OF STONE BLOCKS
STAND AGAINST THE CRASHING WAVES
581
00:34:06,065 --> 00:34:09,066
TO ENSURE INVADERS
CAN'T GET AROUND.
582
00:34:09,068 --> 00:34:10,934
THIS NEARLY 50-FOOT-HIGH TOWER
583
00:34:10,936 --> 00:34:13,537
IS A MONUMENTAL END
TO THE GREAT WALL.
584
00:34:15,507 --> 00:34:17,941
THE WALL AND ITS SIGNALING
SYSTEM WERE CONNECTED
585
00:34:17,943 --> 00:34:20,577
FROM THIS OCEAN FORTRESS
IN THE EAST
586
00:34:20,579 --> 00:34:22,679
TO THE DESERTS IN THE WEST.
587
00:34:24,850 --> 00:34:26,383
IT MEANT THAT THE CHINESE ARMY
588
00:34:26,385 --> 00:34:29,987
WAS FULLY PREPARED
TO PROTECT THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.
589
00:34:29,989 --> 00:34:31,955
SOLDIERS WOULD BE MANNING
THE BATTLEMENTS
590
00:34:31,957 --> 00:34:34,057
WITH THEIR BOWS
AND THEIR CROSSBOWS,
591
00:34:34,059 --> 00:34:37,427
UNLEASHING SHOWERS OF ARROWS
592
00:34:37,429 --> 00:34:40,964
AND CROSSBOW BOLTS
DOWN ON THE ENEMY.
593
00:34:40,966 --> 00:34:43,400
Narrator: BUT IN THE MIDST
OF A DEADLY ATTACK,
594
00:34:43,402 --> 00:34:46,269
HOW WERE REINFORCEMENTS
ABLE TO REACH THESE REMOTE
595
00:34:46,271 --> 00:34:47,971
WATCH TOWERS IN TIME?
596
00:34:56,472 --> 00:34:59,240
Narrator:
THE GREAT WALL WAS BUILT
AS A DEFENSIVE SHIELD
597
00:34:59,242 --> 00:35:02,209
STRETCHING ACROSS
THE VAST LAND OF CHINA.
598
00:35:02,211 --> 00:35:05,279
BUT WHEN UNDER ATTACK,
599
00:35:05,281 --> 00:35:07,047
HOW DID CHINESE REINFORCEMENTS
600
00:35:07,049 --> 00:35:11,051
GET TO ISOLATED WATCH TOWERS
ATOP SUCH TOUGH TERRAIN?
601
00:35:15,391 --> 00:35:18,426
ONE OF THE PRIMARY JOBS
OF THE GUARDS IN TOWERS
602
00:35:18,428 --> 00:35:21,395
LIKE THAT WAS TO WATCH
FOR THE ENEMY.
603
00:35:21,397 --> 00:35:23,264
AS SOON AS THEY WERE SPOTTED,
604
00:35:23,266 --> 00:35:26,667
MAKE AN ALARM SIGNAL
TO SUMMON REINFORCEMENTS
605
00:35:26,669 --> 00:35:29,470
TO THIS LOCATION.
606
00:35:29,472 --> 00:35:31,705
Narrator: GREAT WALL HISTORIAN
WILLIAM LINDESAY
607
00:35:31,707 --> 00:35:34,842
IS WALKING THE WALL
AT JIANKOU NORTH OF BEIJING.
608
00:35:36,813 --> 00:35:38,179
HE'S LOOKING FOR EVIDENCE
609
00:35:38,181 --> 00:35:41,348
THAT REVEALS HOW TROOPS
MANEUVERED TO FIGHT OFF RAIDS
610
00:35:41,350 --> 00:35:43,150
AT THE TOP OF MOUNTAIN RIDGES.
611
00:35:44,921 --> 00:35:47,555
PEOPLE OFTEN LOOK AT THIS,
AND THEY SAY,
612
00:35:47,557 --> 00:35:49,824
"COME ON, THEY DIDN'T NEED
A DEFENSE WALL THERE.
613
00:35:49,826 --> 00:35:51,459
NO ONE IS GONNA
ATTACK THIS SPOT."
614
00:35:51,461 --> 00:35:54,495
I AGREE, YOU CAN
REALLY APPRECIATE
615
00:35:54,497 --> 00:35:57,898
THAT MORE AS YOU'RE
STANDING UNDER IT.
616
00:35:57,900 --> 00:35:59,567
I MEAN, LOOK AT THAT.
617
00:35:59,569 --> 00:36:02,503
IT'S JUST CLINGING
TO THE CLIFF FACE.
618
00:36:02,505 --> 00:36:05,039
Narrator: SO WHY DID THE CHINESE
BUILD THE WALL
619
00:36:05,041 --> 00:36:06,774
ON THIS STEEP STRETCH?
620
00:36:06,776 --> 00:36:09,243
DID IT HAVE ANOTHER PURPOSE?
621
00:36:09,245 --> 00:36:11,045
THAT IS A MISSING LINK.
622
00:36:11,047 --> 00:36:14,348
IT'S TO JOIN UP THE WALL HERE,
623
00:36:14,350 --> 00:36:16,450
THE WALL OVER THERE,
THE WALL OVER THERE.
624
00:36:16,452 --> 00:36:21,655
IT MAKES THE BORDER WALL
INTO A BORDER ROAD SYSTEM.
625
00:36:26,796 --> 00:36:29,129
Narrator: WILLIAM BELIEVES
THE WALL WAS A ROADWAY
626
00:36:29,131 --> 00:36:30,431
THAT GAVE SUPPORT TROOPS
627
00:36:30,433 --> 00:36:33,467
IMMEDIATE ACCESS
TO SOLDIERS UNDER ATTACK.
628
00:36:36,839 --> 00:36:40,274
THIS CONVERTED THE WALL
INTO A VAST TRANSPORT NETWORK.
629
00:36:43,646 --> 00:36:47,081
[ WIND RUSHING ]
630
00:36:47,083 --> 00:36:50,384
IT EXTENDED THOUSANDS OF MILES
TO CHINA'S WESTERN DESERT,
631
00:36:50,386 --> 00:36:54,755
WHERE IT PERFORMED
ITS FINAL FUNCTION:
632
00:36:54,757 --> 00:36:56,824
TO PROTECT CHINESE TRADE.
633
00:36:59,662 --> 00:37:02,096
THE ANCIENT TRADING
ROUTE CALLED THE SILK ROAD
634
00:37:02,098 --> 00:37:04,999
STRETCHED THROUGH
THE FAR WEST OF CHINA.
635
00:37:05,001 --> 00:37:08,202
THE ROAD WAS THE NATION'S
LINK TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD.
636
00:37:12,174 --> 00:37:14,808
RICHARD FAIRBROTHER IS
DRIVING ALONG THE SILK ROAD,
637
00:37:14,810 --> 00:37:17,511
HUNTING OUT ITS CONNECTIONS
TO THE GREAT WALL.
638
00:37:26,222 --> 00:37:28,389
LIKE SILK ROAD TRAVELERS
OF THE PAST,
639
00:37:28,391 --> 00:37:31,725
HE PICKS UP SUPPLIES
AT THE MARKET IN DUNHUANG...
640
00:37:45,107 --> 00:37:49,043
...AND HEADS OUT INTO THE HARSH
COLD OF THE WESTERN DESERT.
641
00:37:49,045 --> 00:37:52,313
HE'S LOOKING FOR
A DESERT FORTRESS.
642
00:38:00,556 --> 00:38:01,822
THAT'S AWESOME.
643
00:38:08,431 --> 00:38:11,799
THIS AMAZING FORT IS
OVER 2,000 YEARS OLD.
644
00:38:11,801 --> 00:38:13,367
IT'S RIGHT ON THE SILK ROAD.
645
00:38:13,369 --> 00:38:14,735
IT'S CALLED SHANMACHUNG,
646
00:38:14,737 --> 00:38:19,773
WHICH LITERALLY TRANSLATES
AS "HORSE CASTRATION FORT."
647
00:38:19,775 --> 00:38:22,977
IT'S IN A GLORIOUS LOCATION
WITH HUGE MOUNTAINS
648
00:38:22,979 --> 00:38:25,679
AND THIS RIVER THAT'S RIPPED
THE SIDE OF THE FORT AWAY.
649
00:38:27,850 --> 00:38:30,084
AND IT WAS A PLACE
WHERE HORSES WERE CASTRATED
650
00:38:30,086 --> 00:38:32,753
BEFORE BEING ACCEPTED
BY THE CHINESE EMPIRE
651
00:38:32,755 --> 00:38:34,288
IN TRADE FOR TEA.
652
00:38:38,260 --> 00:38:39,760
Narrator:
THE GREAT WALL AND THE FORTS
653
00:38:39,762 --> 00:38:43,330
ALONGSIDE IT KEPT THE TRADERS
ALONG THE SILK ROAD SAFE.
654
00:38:49,005 --> 00:38:50,871
Fairbrother: THE TRADE ALONG
THE SILK ROAD WAS CRUCIAL
655
00:38:50,873 --> 00:38:52,373
TO THE CHINESE EMPIRE,
656
00:38:52,375 --> 00:38:54,241
AND THAT'S WHY THEY BUILT
THE GREAT WALL
657
00:38:54,243 --> 00:38:56,410
AND ALL OF THESE FORTS
DOTTED ALONG IT.
658
00:38:59,649 --> 00:39:01,482
Narrator:
BUT INVITING FOREIGN TRADERS
659
00:39:01,484 --> 00:39:04,385
INTO THEIR FORTS
MADE THE CHINESE VULNERABLE.
660
00:39:04,387 --> 00:39:07,454
DESPITE THEIR ENTHUSIASM
FOR COMMERCE,
661
00:39:07,456 --> 00:39:09,890
THE CHINESE WERE WARY
THAT FOREIGN TRADERS
662
00:39:09,892 --> 00:39:13,060
MIGHT ACTUALLY BE NOMAD SPIES.
663
00:39:13,062 --> 00:39:14,728
SO THEY DESIGNED THEIR FORTS
664
00:39:14,730 --> 00:39:18,666
SO THAT JUST ONE FALSE MOVE
WOULD RESULT IN A GRUESOME END.
665
00:39:21,904 --> 00:39:25,039
BELOW THE GATEHOUSE, A NARROW
PASSAGE FUNNELED VISITORS
666
00:39:25,041 --> 00:39:29,109
INTO THE FEARED
PASSAGEWAYS OF DEATH.
667
00:39:29,111 --> 00:39:32,713
THE WALLS CREATED A MAZE
FOR THE INTRUDERS TO NAVIGATE.
668
00:39:37,887 --> 00:39:41,288
TRAVERSING RIGHT-ANGLED TURNS,
669
00:39:41,290 --> 00:39:45,592
FORCING THEM INTO
THE CONFINED COURTYARD...
670
00:39:45,594 --> 00:39:47,995
THIS NEARLY 33-FOOT-TALL TRAP
671
00:39:47,997 --> 00:39:50,564
WAS DEADLY
FOR UNWANTED VISITORS.
672
00:39:53,402 --> 00:39:58,305
AS GUARDS ON THE PARAPETS
LOOMED ABOVE WITH WEAPONS,
673
00:39:58,307 --> 00:40:01,842
THIS WAS THE PERFECT GATEWAY
TO PROTECT CHINA'S LAND.
674
00:40:04,814 --> 00:40:08,882
THE GREAT WALL WAS A MONUMENTAL
PIECE OF MILITARY ENGINEERING
675
00:40:08,884 --> 00:40:12,419
THAT ALLOWED CHINA TO FACE
DOWN THE TERROR FROM THE NORTH.
676
00:40:14,457 --> 00:40:15,923
JUST LOOKING AT THE WALL
677
00:40:15,925 --> 00:40:19,026
AND SEEING HOW IT SNAKES
OVER THESE MOUNTAINTOPS,
678
00:40:19,028 --> 00:40:22,763
YOU REALIZE THAT IT IS
AN INCREDIBLE ACHIEVEMENT.
679
00:40:22,765 --> 00:40:24,498
IT GOES ACROSS CHINA.
680
00:40:29,071 --> 00:40:31,939
Lindesay: THIS IS THE WORLD'S
MOST LABOR-INTENSIVE,
681
00:40:31,941 --> 00:40:33,340
MATERIAL-CONSUMING,
682
00:40:33,342 --> 00:40:36,977
AND TIME-CONSUMING CONSTRUCTION
IN OUR HISTORY.
683
00:40:36,979 --> 00:40:39,947
I REALLY BELIEVE IT IS THE
ULTIMATE WONDER OF THE WORLD.
684
00:40:39,949 --> 00:40:42,015
ΒΆΒΆ
685
00:40:44,286 --> 00:40:45,652
I LOVE THE GREAT WALL.
686
00:40:45,654 --> 00:40:47,955
I MIGHT SOUND A BIT NERDY,
BUT I HAVE A SAYING:
687
00:40:47,957 --> 00:40:49,423
"IF YOU'RE TIRED
OF THE GREAT WALL,
688
00:40:49,425 --> 00:40:50,424
YOU'RE TIRED OF LIFE."
689
00:40:52,762 --> 00:40:55,963
Narrator: THE GREAT WALL
PROTECTED CHINA'S FARMERS...
690
00:40:57,800 --> 00:41:01,268
...AND PROJECTED THE NATION'S
IMPERIAL POWER ALONG THE WORLD'S
691
00:41:01,270 --> 00:41:03,237
MOST IMPORTANT TRADE ROUTE.
692
00:41:03,239 --> 00:41:06,206
THE FEELING OF HISTORY,
OF BEING HERE,
693
00:41:06,208 --> 00:41:09,276
BEING PERHAPS THE ONLY PERSON
WHO'S BEEN HERE IN SOME TIME,
694
00:41:09,278 --> 00:41:11,411
IS HARD TO DESCRIBE.
695
00:41:11,413 --> 00:41:13,881
IT'S JUST AWESOME.
696
00:41:13,883 --> 00:41:16,550
Narrator: FROM A SELF-CEMENTING
EARTH WALL
697
00:41:16,552 --> 00:41:20,921
TO AN IMPENETRABLE LINE
OF BRICK FORTIFICATIONS,
698
00:41:20,923 --> 00:41:25,025
DEFENSIVE BATTLEMENTS,
DEADLY MAZES,
699
00:41:25,027 --> 00:41:28,762
AND A WALKWAY
THAT EXPANDS A COUNTRY,
700
00:41:28,764 --> 00:41:31,331
COMBINE TO CREATE
THE ULTIMATE ACHIEVEMENT
701
00:41:31,333 --> 00:41:35,068
IN MILITARY ARCHITECTURE...
702
00:41:35,070 --> 00:41:37,905
AT ONE OF THE MOST
AWE-INSPIRING STRUCTURES
703
00:41:37,907 --> 00:41:39,606
EVER CREATED.
56019
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