Researchers reported the discovery of 59 ancient Ming Dynasty bombs near the Great Wall in Badaling, a finding covered by Live Science.
The weapons were unearthed close to a stretch of the Great Wall built in the 16th century under Ming rulers. The site lies roughly 80 kilometers from Beijing.
These bombs were fashioned from stone and featured a central hole meant to hold gunpowder. They resemble shells found before that were used by guards along the Great Wall during the Ming era. Once loaded with gunpowder, the bombs could be sealed and launched at foes from above. Their design prioritized ignition while the gunpowder mix aimed to maximize blast power.
Gunpowder is believed to have originated in China during the 900s. By the Ming Dynasty period (1368–1644), a wide array of powder weapons were already in use across East Asia. Many were built from stone or iron and propelled by human force using a trebuchet or similar throwing device.
The discovery highlights the surprising variety of early gunpowder weapons employed during the Ming era. Tonio Andrade of Emory University in Atlanta, who was not involved in the excavation, described the Ming Dynasty as a potential world leader in early gunpowder technology, calling it a candidate for a world power in powder weapons.
Earlier reports also note a cross-shaped relic found within the residence of a Polish knight.