Mysteries of the Mongolian Arc:

 

Mysteries of the Mongolian Arc: Gaps hint at unexpected purpose of ancient wall

A team of archaeologists from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel, together with a researcher from the National University of Mongolia, has conducted a comprehensive study of the 405 km long wall system in eastern Mongolia, known as the Mongolian Arc. goes The research, published in the Journal of Field Archaeology, aims to shed light on the historical context and purpose of this fascinating structure.

 

The Mongolian arc, the extension of the Great Wall of China that extends into Mongolia, has long been a subject of curiosity because of its shape and limited exploration. Unlike its better-known counterpart in China, this section of the wall has received minimal scholarly attention thus far. To explore its history and significance, the research team used diverse methods and technologies.

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His research included mapping the route of the wall, which stretched from Dornod Province to Sukhbaatar Province, tracing the border between Mongolia and China. Previous research has shown that the wall consists of 34 structures, built using mud walls and trenches. However, historical records are still unclear about the time of its construction, which dates its origins to between the 11th and 13th centuries.

Map delineating three distinct wall sections: the Northern Line is represented in blue, the Southern Line in green, and an extension segment of the Southern Line in red. The Mongolian Arc is the part of the red line that extend into Mongolian territory

The team's interdisciplinary approach included examining weather records, and satellite imagery, and conducting on-site field studies to assess the wall's structure, condition, and relationship with the surrounding area. Their findings uncovered interesting insights, revealing unexpected gaps in the wall that indicated a different purpose than being a comprehensive barrier against attackers. These flaws suggest rapid construction in response to specific threats rather than acting as an impregnable defense.

The team's findings offer compelling ideas about the wall's possible function, including its role in controlling the movement of people or animals or its involvement in the tax system. In particular, the placement of many checkpoints along the wall in areas with limited visibility in the surrounding area complicates understanding its purpose.

Absence of definitive answers.

Despite their efforts, researchers acknowledge the absence of definitive answers about the rationale for the wall's construction and a precise timeline. However, they are determined to explore further, intending to unravel more of the mystery surrounding this historic structure. This study of the Mongol arch resonates with broader debates about the historical construction of boundary walls around the world. Paralleling contemporary examples such as the "Trump Wall" on the US-Mexico border and internal borders within the European Union, these findings illustrate the enduring relevance of understanding archaic border constructions.

Part of a larger project studying extensive wall systems in China and Mongolia, the Mongol Arch investigation aims to address fundamental questions about the motivations behind the construction of such monumental barriers. Using geographic information systems (GIS) and leveraging historical sources, the research seeks to unravel the social, political, economic, and environmental impacts of these ancient structures, their functionality, period of use, and ultimately Offers important insights into abandonment.

This research, despite the mystery, marks an important step towards unraveling the complexities of historical border constructions and their enduring legacies in shaping societies and landscapes.

Study Summary:

This paper explores, for the first time, a 405 km long wall system located in eastern Mongolia: the “Mongolian Arc” consists of an earthen wall, a trench, and 34 structures. It is part of a much larger system of walls built between the 11th and 13th centuries a.d. The Mongolian Arc, despite its magnitude, has been largely overlooked in existing academic discourse. Our team collected remote sensing data of different types and conducted an archaeological field survey of the entire Mongolian Arc. The different datasets obtained in the lab and the field were analyzed using a geographic information system (GIS). These results were integrated with excerpts from relevant primary sources to provide a preliminary interpretation of the design and potential functions of the Mongolian Arc. Key areas of exploration include the idiosyncratic gaps along the wall, the spatial organization of the wall and structures, and their interrelationship with the adjacent landscape.