Two Detained For Damaging The Great Wall Of China With An Excavator
Construction workers in central Shanxi province seriously destroyed a section of China's Great Wall by digging with an excavator. Two detained for damaging the Great Wall of China with an excavator.
Author:Tyreece BauerReviewer:Elisa MuellerSep 05, 202325.1K Shares392.7K Views
Construction workers in central Shanxi province seriously destroyed a section of China's Great Wall by digging with an excavator. Two detained for damaging the Great Wall of China with an excavator.
This act of vandalism, which occurred in Shanxi province, has raised concerns about the preservation of this iconic historical monument.
Irreversible Damage To An Icon
The culprits behind this destructive act are a 38-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman who were working in the vicinity of the Great Wall. They stand accused of excavating a wide gap in the ancient structure by expanding an existing opening.
Their intent was reportedly to create a shortcut for their construction work nearby, thus reducing the distance they had to travel.
Local authorities have asserted that the excavation carried out by the accused resulted in "irreversible" damage to both the integrity and safety of the section of the wall affected.
The damage occurred in a part of the wall dating back to the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) and is known as the 32nd Great Wall. This section also houses a relatively well-preserved watchtower and holds provincial cultural relic status.
More than 30% of the Ming Great Wall may have vanished totally, according to a 2016 article in the Beijing Times, while just 8% remains in good condition.
If you want to know why someone, like the accused, would be so cavalier about destroying a piece of this internationally renowned historical landmark, you need to look at the building itself.
The Great Wall of China is a chain of fortifications spanning large swaths of northern China, and its condition varies greatly from place to place. It occurs less often in urban areas and more frequently in outlying regions of a number of provinces.
The earliest sections of the Great Wall date back thousands of years; they were rammed earth barriers, and now they appear as mounds that aren't even obviously the Great Wall.
Efforts To Protect The Great Wall
Chinese authorities have been increasingly vigilant in safeguarding the Great Wall and combatting acts of vandalism in recent years.
This incident is not an isolated one; in 2021, three visitors were detained and fined for defacing the famous Badaling section of the wall.
Furthermore, two foreign tourists were banned from the Great Wall for trespassing onto an undeveloped part of the Mutianyu section, allegedly attempting to create a shortcut for their construction work.
The Great Wall of China, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, holds immense historical and cultural significance.
Its construction spanned centuries, dating back to around 220 BC and continuing into the Ming Dynasty in the 1600s, when it reached its zenith as the world's largest military structure.
While some sections of the Great Wall are well-preserved and adorned with ancient watchtowers, others are in various states of decay or have vanished altogether.
Farmers in the area have been blamed for removing bricks and stones from the wall to use in their own construction projects or for use in animal cages.
These two are in deep danger since the government has just taken extra measures to protect the Great Wall.
The Chinese populace may not find these measures particularly remarkable given the history of Great Wall demolition, but they will be distressed by them due to the Great Wall's immense cultural and historical significance not only to China but to the whole human race.
Final Words
The recent incident of individuals damaging the Great Wall of China with an excavator is a stark reminder of the challenges in preserving this iconic historical monument.
The Great Wall's immense historical and cultural significance makes it a symbol not just for China but for all of humanity.
As Chinese authorities intensify efforts to protect this UNESCO World Heritage Site, incidents like these serve as a call to action for the public to appreciate and safeguard the enduring legacy of the Great Wall for generations to come.
Tyreece Bauer
Author
A trendsetter in the world of digital nomad living, Tyreece Bauer excels in Travel and Cybersecurity. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and is a certified Cybersecurity professional.
As a Digital Nomad, he combines his passion for exploring new destinations with his expertise in ensuring digital security on the go. Tyreece's background includes extensive experience in travel technology, data privacy, and risk management in the travel industry.
He is known for his innovative approach to securing digital systems and protecting sensitive information for travelers and travel companies alike. Tyreece's expertise in cybersecurity for mobile apps, IoT devices, and remote work environments makes him a trusted advisor in the digital nomad community.
Tyreece enjoys documenting his adventures, sharing insights on staying secure while traveling and contributing to the digital nomad lifestyle community.
Elisa Mueller
Reviewer
Elisa Mueller, a Kansas City native, grew up surrounded by the wonders of books and movies, inspired by her parents' passion for education and film.
She earned bachelor's degrees in English and Journalism from the University of Kansas before moving to New York City, where she spent a decade at Entertainment Weekly, visiting film sets worldwide.
With over 8 years in the entertainment industry, Elisa is a seasoned journalist and media analyst, holding a degree in Journalism from NYU. Her insightful critiques have been featured in prestigious publications, cementing her reputation for accuracy and depth.
Outside of work, she enjoys attending film festivals, painting, writing fiction, and studying numerology.
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