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![Tens of Chinese chess pieces, used by ancient soldiers, are found during the Great Wall of Ming Dynasty repair work at Funing county in Qinhuangdao city of north China's Hebei province on May 5, 2014. [Photo/CFP]](http://www.bazhesc.com/2014/0506/201456133437.jpg "Tens of Chinese chess pieces, used by ancient soldiers, are found during the Great Wall of Ming Dynasty repair work at Funing county in Qinhuangdao city of north China's Hebei province on May 5, 2014. [Photo/CFP]")
(ECNS) -- Dozens of clay Chinese chess pieces made by soldiers during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) were discovered Monday at the Great Wall in Funing county of Qinhuangdao city, Hebei province.
Some of the pieces are black and some are earthly yellow, with Chinese characters engraved on the surface.
Although the Great Wall is normally known as a military structure, 70 percent of the people guarding it during the Ming Dynasty were actually farmers, while only 30 percent were soldiers, said Dong Yaohui, vice-president of the China Great Wall Society.
The Great Wall was built to deter war, and thanks to the structure's role in reducing the frequency of battles, soldiers stationed at the Great Wall could lead a peaceful life, said Dong.
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