Ancient porcelain unearthed in southwest China

Archaeologists have discovered a large number of porcelain pieces dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911) in southwest China's Yunnan Province.

Since July, a joint archaeological team has been surveying and excavating the ruins of the Jianshui Kiln, home to more than 20 ancient porcelain kilns in Jianshui County in Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, according to the Yunnan provincial institute of cultural relics and archaeology.

The findings include more than 3,000 complete porcelain items and over 300,000 fragmented porcelain specimens, mainly blue and white ceramics and celadon ceramics.

A preliminary investigation showed that most of the objects date from the Ming and Qing dynasties, said Dai Zongpin, deputy director of the institute, adding that the team is still working to date some items that may have been manufactured at other times.

"The excavation of the Jianshui Kiln marks the first time that archaeologists have conducted systematic research of Yunnan's ancient porcelain kilns. The discovery is important to the study of the development of the porcelain industry in southwest China," Dai said.

Editor: John Li