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Ancient Chinese Built High Walls to Control Fire
Evidence from documents and tombstones in east China's Anhui Province shows that during the Ming Dynasty people knew how to control fires.
In areas near picturesque Mount Huangshan in southern Anhui, there are a number of well-preserved, ancient buildings - many with high walls.
Archaeologists say the major function of such walls was to control the spread of fires.
During the Ming dynasty, from the 14th to 17th century, Huangshan was known as Huizhou.
According to one of the tombstones, fires used to break out frequently in Huizhou.
So a local governer ordered the people to build courtyard walls higher than the building roofs to prevent fires spreading.
The tombstone also says the official ordered courtyards to be shared by no more than five households to diminish losses caused by fires.
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