Volunteers from Shixia village in Beijing patrol a section of the Great Wall. CHINA DAILY

　　Digital technologies are increasingly helping researchers move beyond documenting the Great Wall to diagnosing deterioration, assessing future risks and uncovering previously hidden patterns in the ancient structure.

　　Initially, 3D surveying was largely used to digitally record the Great Wall and reproduce its form on computers. But researchers are now combining such records with environmental and geographical data to answer more complex questions about its conservation, said Li Zhe, a professor at Tianjin University"s School of Architecture.