The Great Wall's watchtowers signaled invasions using smoke beacons
During the Ming Dynasty, the Great Wall's watchtowers used an ingenious system of smoke and fire beacons to rapidly signal invasions, transforming the wall into a dynamic communication network.
During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the Great Wall of China wasn't just a barrier; it was a sophisticated communication network. Watchtowers along its 8,850-kilometer length used smoke signals to rapidly alert Beijing of northern invasions. Sentries would ignite wolf dung to create plumes, with the number of smoke signals indicating the size of the approaching enemy force.
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