Latest news with #LiuZheng
Iraqi News
23-02-2025
- Science
- Iraqi News
Archaeologists reveal Great Wall of China could be hundreds of years older than previously thought
Archaeological excavations in eastern China have revealed that parts of the Great Wall are much older than first thought. In fact, recent research has proved that the wall is approximately 300 years older than previously estimated - dating back to the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046-771BC). The discovery in Shandong province has shown that the Unesco World Heritage site was not a single construction project, but rather a series of fortifications built across multiple dynasties. Until now, it was believed the first major walls were built around the 7th century BC. New excavations covering over 1,000 square metres have unearthed sections of the wall dating to both the Western Zhou Dynasty and the early Spring and Autumn Period of 770-476BC. Researchers employed a multidisciplinary approach to date these sections, analysing traditional artefacts alongside plant remains and animal bones found at the site. The findings revealed how ancient Chinese engineers expanded the wall to approximately 30 metres at the peak of Qi State during the Warring States Period. Ancient texts indicate the wall underwent multiple phases of development, including periods of collapse, abandonment and restoration. A particularly well-preserved section of the wall - built during the Warring States Period (475 BC to 221 BC) - has emerged as the most significant find at the site. "This section is the earliest known Great Wall in China," said Liu Zheng, who is a member of the Chinese Society of Cultural Relics. Archaeologists have also managed to uncover a wealth of historical structures at the excavation site in Shandong province. "We found buried sections of roads, house foundations, trenches, ash pits, and walls at the site," said Zhang Su, project leader from the Shandong Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology. The latest research has established that the Great Wall's sections near the ancient city of Pingyin served purposes beyond military defence. The proximity to this historically documented settlement has led experts to believe that the wall played a strategic role in controlling trade routes and transport networks.
The Independent
21-02-2025
- Science
- The Independent
Great Wall of China may be centuries older than previously thought
Archaeological excavations in eastern China 's Shandong province suggest that some of the oldest sections of the Great Wall were built 300 years earlier than previously thought. Recent digs in the Changqing area show that the engineering marvel wasn't a single construction project, but a series of fortifications built during multiple dynasties. The Great Wall was built to secure ancient China 's northern borders against nomadic groups from the Eurasian Steppe. Historical records suggest the construction of the Unesco World Heritage monument spanned centuries. However, extant documentation of the wall lacks details that could reveal its true origins. It was believed that the largest portions of the first walls were constructed around the 7th century BC and joined together under the Qin dynasty around the third century BC. However, new excavations undertaken last year and covering over 1,000 square meters found sections of the wall dating back to the late Western Zhou Dynasty, which ruled from 1046BC to 771BC, and to the early Spring and Autumn Period of 770-476BC. The findings shed light on advanced engineering of the ancient Chinese to expand the wall to about 30 meters at the peak of Qi State likely during the Warring States Period. Some ancient texts suggest that sections of the wall went through many phases of development, use, sometimes collapse and abandonment, and attempts at restoration. Researchers reportedly used a multidisciplinary approach to date these sections of the wall, including analysis of traditional artefacts collected at the site as well as specimens of plant remains and animal bones. Archaeologists found buried sections of roads, house foundations, trenches, ash pits, and walls at the site, Zhang Su, the project leader from the Shandong Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, told Global Times. One particularly well-preserved section was built during the Warring States Period from 475BC to 221 BC and is the best preserved, researchers said. This section is the 'earliest known Great Wall in China', said Liu Zheng, a member of the Chinese Society of Cultural Relics. The latest research also establishes the proximity of the Great Wall of this time to the ancient Pingyin city mentioned in historical texts, suggesting the wall was not just a fortification against invasion but also served a strategic role in controlling trade and transportation.
Reuters
05-02-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Ant Group appoints Liu Zheng as CFO, effective immediately
SHANGHAI, Feb 5 (Reuters) - Ant Group has appointed Liu Zheng its new chief financial officer with immediate effect, replacing Cyril Han, a company spokesperson said on Wednesday, confirming an earlier report by Chinese tech outlet 36kr. Liu is the former chief financial officer of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba's ( opens new tab logistics arm Cainiao. Han is set to take over from Eric Jing as CEO of Ant from March 1, according to earlier media reports.
