A new study reveals that the Gobi Wall, a 321-kilometer structure in Mongolia, was more than just a defensive barrier. Led by Professor Gideon Shelach-Lavi, the research, conducted in Mongolia in cooperation with Prof. Chunag Amartuvshin from the National University of Mongolia and Prof. William Honeychurch, from Yale University, reveals it as a sophisticated tool of the Xi Xia dynasty (1038–1227 CE).
The international research team combined remote sensing, surveys, and excavations to map the wall's course and construction techniques. Archaeological evidence indicates that builders used local resources like rammed earth, stone, and timber, adapting to the arid landscape. Garrison sites were strategically placed to access water and woodlands, integrating military, economic, and environmental needs.
The Gobi Wall primarily served as a physical manifestation of imperial authority during the Xi Xia dynasty, regulating trade, managing nomadic mobility, and facilitating resource extraction. The archaeological record shows its use from the 2nd century BCE through the 19th century CE, highlighting its enduring strategic relevance. This research reframes the Gobi Wall as a multifunctional infrastructure that played a central role in the geopolitical and environmental landscape of medieval Inner Asia.