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China Finds Vast New Stretches of Great Wall

High-tech study finds hundreds of hidden miles

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 21, 2009 1:58 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Chinese scientists have discovered huge sections of the Great Wall of China that have been concealed by sandstorms over time, reports the BBC. A high-tech study using infrared and GPS technology found that the barrier built to protect against northern invaders is up to 1000 miles longer than experts previously believed.

The newly discovered sections of the wall were built during the Ming Dynasty and stretch through largely inaccessible desert and mountain territory. Scientists—who warn that some crumbling parts of the barrier may disappear entirely within 20 years as sandstorms become more intense—believe the wall could be longer still and are working to map older sections.

A Chinese child climbs half way up a makeshift ladder onto a section of the Great Wall of China in Beijing, China.
A Chinese child climbs half way up a makeshift ladder onto a section of the Great Wall of China in Beijing, China.   (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Volunteers unfurl an Olympic Dragon scroll at a section of the Great Wall of China near Beijng.
Volunteers unfurl an "Olympic Dragon" scroll at a section of the Great Wall of China near Beijng.   (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
The Great Wall is even greater, experts have discovered.
The Great Wall is even greater, experts have discovered.   (©docsdl)
A Chinese mapping study has found up to 1000 extra miles of the Great Wall of China buried by sand storms.
A Chinese mapping study has found up to 1000 extra miles of the Great Wall of China buried by sand storms.   (©Stas Kulesh)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Vostok
Apr 21, 2009 5:23 AM CDT
Oh THERE it is! Man, I thought I left that great wall in my other pants...

Study finds Great Wall under threat in many areas
AFP

 
China • archaeology • Great Wall of China • Gansu province

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