Chinese archaeologists have discovered the ruins of the ancient Ship River, a civilization that dates back at least 4,800 years, in Sichuan province, southwestern China, Xinhua reported on August 29.
The archaeological site is located in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, and was discovered in October last year. The excavation from March to August this year led to the discovery of more than 80 ancient tombs and more than 10 houses dating from the Tay Chu Dynasty (1046-771 BC) and the Spring-Autumn Festival (770-476 BC).
A large number of bronze, gemstone and pottery artifacts, including bronze seals, leaf-shaped swords and other artifacts typical of the ancient Thuc civilization, have also been excavated from this site.
According to Xiong Qiaoqiao, the head of the excavation project, this archaeological site belongs to the important transitional period between the earliest Thuc civilization, represented by the Tam Tinh Doi and Thuc Muoi respectively.
The archaeological site in Chengdu provides important research documents to recreate the history of the ancient Thuc Kingdom, which has not been recorded much data. According to legend, the ancient Thuc Kingdom lasted for more than 2,000 years.
Also reporting on the discovery of new Chinese archaeology, Xinhua News Agency on August 30 said that 58 ancient tombs and artifacts from the pre-Than Dynasty (221 BC) were excavated from a location in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, southern China.
According to the Quang Chau City Institute of Archaeology and Literature, more than 200 tombs, pits and tunnels have been excavated at the site of Lanyuanling in Hoang Pho District, Quang Chau.
The finds date from two periods - the end of the new stone period to the beginning of the Thuong Dynasty (1600-1046 BC) and from the Tay Chu Dynasty (1046-771 BC) to the Spring-Autumn Festival (770-476 BC).
The archaeological excavation began in June and spread over an area of about 2,000m2. More than 160 pieces and sets of terracotta, ceramics, pearls and stones were excavated here, including a well-preserved high-quality pearl bracelet.
Deputy Director Zhang Qianglu said that the new archaeological discovery will help recreate the early history of the northeastern part of Guangzhou.
According to archaeologists, the newly discovered antiques and relics are solid evidence that this area plays an important role in the development of the earliest civilization in the Chau Giang River Delta.
