This Archery Tower guards one of the main gates to the city. Arrow towers were part of a trap created around the main gates of the city. Essentially, the traps were large enclosures built onto the outside of the city wall. The exterior wall of the trap was topped by the Archery Tower to give the soldiers the height necessary to shoot arrows, and later, cannon balls, deep into the enemy forces. There were lots of windows to accomodate lots of archers. If the enemy breached the gate, they were held within a small enclosure facing another gate. The defending forces could then fire at them at will. |
http://hua.umf.maine.edu/China/xian2.html
Last
update: March 2010
© Marilyn Shea, 2010