Large wooden bridge of Qin Dynasty found

Recently, the remains of a large wooden bridge from the period of Emperor Qin Shi Huang were found in the suburbs of Xi'an. 

Archaeologists excavate the site of the wooden bridge [Credit: Xinhua/Feng Guo]

After excavation and research, this wooden bridge proved to the largest wooden bridge in the world around 2,000 years ago. It was made mainly from huge pieces of woods and some stones. The original function of the bridge was to connect by then the capital of the Qin Dynasty, Xianyang, which was built on the Wei River.

Part of the bridge made by stone found next to the wooden bridge [Credit: Xinhua/Feng Guo]

It was an important transportation hub between Xianyang Palace on the north bank, where Qin Shi Huang lived and Xingle Palace on the south bank. The huge bridge was 300 meters long and 20 meters wide. 

The remains of the large wooden bridge found [Credit: Xinhua/Feng Guo]

The discovery has very important values for the research in the archaeology, world's bridges architectural history and transportation history areas

Author: Xue Meng | Source: People's Daily Online [July 30, 2012]