The Other Wall

The Great Wall of China has long attracted attention, particularly from archaeologists and tourists. But now, archaeologists are turning their attention to lesser-known fortifications across Asia, such as Mongolia’s Gobi Wall – a vast, enigmatic structure stretching nearly 200 miles across the Gobi highland desert.  

Built from rammed earth, stone, and wood, the wall is part of a broader fortification system extending from China into Mongolia. It is also the “least understood” section, researchers wrote in a new study, due to limited knowledge about its origins and function – until now. 

New excavations and satellite mapping have revealed that the Gobi Wall was primarily constructed during the Western Xia dynasty, also known as Xi Xia, which ruled from 1038 to 1227 CE. Archaeologists noted that this period was marked by intense geopolitical competition and sophisticated frontier systems. 

“The Gobi Wall was not just a barrier – it was a dynamic mechanism for governing movement, trade, and territorial control in a challenging environment,” study co-author Gideon Shelach-Lavi said in a statement. “This research challenges long-standing assumptions about imperial frontier systems in Inner Asia.” 

Far from a simple military structure, the Gobi Wall formed part of a broader network of garrisons, mountain pass forts, trenches, and watchtowers, according to the Debrief. 

Some of the excavated garrison sites yielded ceramics and coins dating from the second century BCE to the 19th century CE, but most artifacts point to a peak of activity during the Xi Xia dynasty. 

Many forts shared rectangular layouts with corner towers and outer ditches, suggesting administrative as well as military roles. Researchers believe the system was designed to regulate movement, control trade, and exert influence over the border. 

The wall’s alignment was also shaped by strategic terrain and access to local resources, such as water and Saxaul shrubs, used as construction material. In some places, sections were built along steep ridges, likely to signal power and deter movement. 

Despite its sophistication, the Gobi Wall ultimately failed to stop Genghis Khan’s Mongol invasion in 1226.  

The Western Xia dynasty collapsed the following year, and the wall fell into disuse.