Excavation began in July at the two prehistoric city sites
discovered at Puchengdian, in central China's
Henan
Province. Archeologists have confirmed one of the sites to be
more than 4,000 years old, belonging to the Longshan or late
Neolithic culture (3000–1700 BC).
The old city extends over more than 16,000 square meters, with
the east, west and south walls still evident.
A well-preserved 5,000-year-old pottery kiln was unearthed, with
kiln chamber, fireplace, workshop and ash pit still relatively
intact. Researchers report that this is the best-preserved kiln of
its age ever found in China.
Since the dig began, more than 400 relics from the Neolithic Age
and Xia (c. 2100–1600 BC), Shang (1600–1100 BC), Zhou (1100–256
BC), Han (206 BC–AD 220) and Song (960–1279) dynasties have been
found. About 300 of them have been unearthed, including rare
articles made of pottery, bronze, stone, bone and shell.
Many foundations of Xia Dynasty buildings were also
uncovered.
Henan Province and Pingdingshan City sponsored the excavation.
The Puchengdian ruins, which extend over an area measuring some
150,000 square meters, were declared Henan's first officially
protected cultural relic site in 1963.
The excavation was completed in October and the government is
developing a plan for improving protection of the site.
(Xinhua News Agency November 3, 2004)