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Wenzhou ruins hailed as Zhejiang's major archaeological discoveries

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ezhejiang.gov.cn|Updated: December 20, 2022

朔门古港遗址.jpgA bird's-eye view of the Shuomen ancient port in Wenzhou, East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/66wz.com]

The ruins of Shuomen ancient port in Wenzhou in East China's Zhejiang province have been selected as one of the important archaeological discoveries in Zhejiang in 2022, local media reported.

It was announced at an event organized by the Zhejiang Provincial Society of Archaeology in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province on Dec 18.

The recently unearthed archaeological ruins of Shuomen ancient port bring alive the hustle and bustle of the Maritime Silk Road in the Song and Yuan dynasties (960-1368).

A number of well-preserved ancient relics have been discovered, including ancient city waterways, city gates, groups of docks, brick roads, wooden promenades, wells, and ash pits.

Two shipwrecks along with tons of porcelain pieces and lacquerwares in diversified styles and forms are the most eye-catching discoveries. They can be dated from the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) to the Republic of China (1912-49) and mainly fall in the Song and Yuan dynasties (960-1368).

Moreover, the discoveries unearthed the fact that Wenzhou, a coastal city, has been an important port city since ancient times and played a key role in supporting the development of the Maritime Silk Road.

The excavation was kicked off in October last year as a significant amount of cultural relics was discovered coincidently during an urban upgrading project to relieve the traffic congestion in surrounding areas.

The archaeological discoveries of Shuomen ancient port are considered as a testament of the port relics of the Maritime Silk Road both at home and abroad.

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