A section of China's renowned Great Wall has suffered severe damage due to the actions of construction workers in central Shanxi province. The workers employed an excavator to dig through the wall in an attempt to create a shortcut for their construction activities, BBC News reported. The incident raises concerns about the preservation of this historic and cultural treasure, leading to legal actions against the individuals responsible.
Incident details
On August 24, local authorities were alerted to the situation after reports of a substantial gap in the wall surfaced. According to the police, two individuals, a 38-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman, who were working near the affected area, intentionally dug a "big gap" by widening an existing cavity in the Ming Great Wall. They did this to allow their excavator to pass through, with the apparent motive of reducing their travel distance for construction purposes.
Consequences and legal action
The two individuals have been detained, and an investigation into the incident is ongoing. Authorities have stressed that the actions of these workers have resulted in "irreversible damage to the integrity of the Ming Great Wall and to the safety of the cultural relics." This act of destruction has raised significant concerns, as the Great Wall holds UNESCO World Heritage status and is a symbol of China's rich historical and cultural heritage.
The Great Wall of China is a monumental structure built and rebuilt over centuries, spanning approximately 13,000 miles across northern China. It has historical roots dating back to around 220 BC, with significant construction efforts taking place during the Ming Dynasty in the 14th to 17th centuries. This colossal military fortification was once the world's largest.
While certain sections of the Great Wall are well-preserved, others, like the damaged portion in this incident, are in varying states of disrepair. The Ming Great Wall, where the damage occurred, has faced significant challenges, with more than 30% of it disappearing entirely, and only 8% considered well-preserved, according to a 2016 report from the Beijing Times.
Preservation efforts
The degradation of the Great Wall has been attributed to various factors, including local farmers who have historically removed bricks or stones to build houses or animal pens. However, in recent years, the Chinese government has undertaken greater efforts to preserve this iconic structure.
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