Discover
the architecture of beacon fire site:
Beacon Fire Site is an independent high platform, with attached houses
and facilities to make smoke or start fire, either on top or below the
raised platform. Underneath the platform is the sleeping quarter for
soldiers, stable and warehouse. The building materials and the structure
of beacon fire site are the same as for other defence works. They are
either built of stones or rammed earth or bricks and stones. They
are roughly divided into four types:
- one
type is built on two sides, close to the Great Wall.
- Another
type is built outside the Great Wall, extending to far away place.
- A third
type is linked with royal prefecture, royal county or the capital.
- The
fourth type is linked to neighboring prefecture, county, mountain
pass or fortressed town in the military zone.
The raised
platform is five zhang in height. The base is two zhang in width. The
topis one zhang. The platform is round in shape. A round house covers
the platform. The house measures one zhang six chi. It projects out
three chi on one side, covered with planks.
In the
house are installed three furnaces, which project outside. Three more
furnaces are built below. The furnaces are plastered with lime. Three
places for fuel wood are erected. There are three ropes for lighting
the fire. A small ladder is used. Windows are built in walls to watch
enemy movement. A firing tube, flag, drum, two bows, a driving device
for starting fire on flint, stones, wood, water jar, food provision,
hemp, rocket, common artemisia, wolf dung, cow dung, etc. stand by.
|