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I think that the true purpose of the great wall of "China" was an extremely expensive elevated defensible highway trade route... kind of like an ancient railroad. This would explain why an easily breachable earthen wall withstood "attacks" for centuries since any aggression would be towards the parties conveying the desired trade goods. The wall was of no interest to any faction or "side"... kind of like why you don't take a pick axe to the nearest highway bridge wall since you would much prefer to travel over it to buy the things you need for survival. Perhaps the ancient empire parade fleets would dock at the sea terminus of the wall to resupply with goods from all over the empire to distribute on their sea routes to neighboring countries... kind of like the economic stimulus equivalent of "foreign aid" and billions for other countries while your own people suffer abuse, neglect and degradation. All exploitive systems fade into disuse and obscurity only to be resurrected as tourist amusements for future exploitation systems.