The Great Wall of China, a series of fortifications made of various materials, stretches over 13,000 miles across northern China. Originally built to protect Chinese states and empires from invasions by nomadic tribes, the wall’s construction began as early as the 7th century BC, but the most well-known sections were built during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644). The wall’s purpose was not just to block invaders but also to control immigration, trade, and the movement of goods along the Silk Road...