The next development of wall construction techniques was to build additional ramparts that protruded from the city wall, so as to allow soldiers to see those enemies who would try to climb the walll from the side. Take Xi’an’s Ming Dynasty city wall for example. There is a rampart every 120 meters, and the distance between two ramparts is just within the range of an arrow’s shot from either of the two. At the same time, enclosure walls were added around the gate. Both of these measures in wall building emerged in the Han Dynasty, but they did not become popular until the Tang Dynasty.
Jilu Stronghold in the northwestern part of China was a very important castle in the north during the Han Dynasty. If you go further northwest and pass through what is now Ningxia you are sure to find many ruins and the remain of fortresses and strongholds along the route. Fortresses and strongholds are actually small castles. The excavation of those castles enables us to know about the subsidiary facilities of the Han-Dynasty walls, such as the shooting holes called “rotating shoot” on the crenels. This sort of device could be opened and closed conveniently. It could also adjust the angles from left to right, or vice versa. Through this “rotating shoot,” arrows could be shot outward or watchful eyes could be cast down onto the4 enemy’s movement. It was quite safe to do so. Additionally, within three meters outside the city wall, rows upon rows of sharpened stakes were buried to prevent enemies from approaching the wall swiftly.
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