Ancient porcelain kilns discovered in China

New Delhi, Jan.29 : Chinese archaeologists have discovered a large ceramic porcelain kiln site dating back as far as 1,000 years ago in the southwest Sichuan Province.

According to a report filed by Xinhua, the Xiba kiln site near an expressway construction site, is on a hillside near Jianyi and Miaotuo villages in Leshan City.

Gao Dalun, the Sichuan Provincial Archaeological Research Institute president, was quoted as saying that the site is spread over an area of about 300,000 square meters.

Researchers said they had already found remains of four horseshoe-shaped kilns and collected pieces of porcelain bowls, plates, pots and other items.

Gao said most of the kilns belonged to a period between the Song Dynasty(960-1279) and the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

The discovery is considered valuable to the study of regional porcelain production and in the national archaeological research on porcelain history.

China has a long history of porcelain and pottery production as ceramic products, along with silk, were the favorite exports in ancient times.

ANI