Ruins in Hunan shed light on early metalwork

The newly discovered furnaces have unique forms, clear functions and significant local characteristics, which filled in a number of gaps in the study of ancient iron production and processing.

Among them, some forms of iron furnaces were first discovered in the southern region, a significant find in handicraft archaeology in the Han and Jin Dynasties.

It also provides important data for the study of different furnace types, functional layouts and production processes of iron workshops in South China during the period.

"It is of great research value to study the dissemination of steel-making technology in China, the development of a social economy in minority areas, the political relationship between the central and local governments and the evolution of the multi-integration pattern of Chinese civilization," said Mo Linheng, head of the the Guantian Ruins excavation project.