Nature protects the Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is a marvel of the ancient world that has stood for centuries. A recent study found that some sections of the wall have been preserved by a “living skin.” Called a biocrust, it consists of thin layers of organisms such as bacteria, moss, and lichen (a plantlike living thing) that are typically found on the surface of soil. The Great Wall is made up of numerous sections built from the 3rd century BCE through the 17th century CE. Many parts were made from tightly packed soil, called rammed earth. This material is often damaged by wind, water, changing temperatures, and salt. Researchers collected samples of eight different sections of the Great Wall built during the Ming Dynasty, which ran from 1368 to 1644. They found…

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The Week Junior US (Digital) - 1 Issue, Issue 197

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