Ruins in Hunan shed light on early metalwork

The Hunan Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology recently published new archaeological excavation information about the Guantian Ruins in Sangzhi county of Zhangjiajie, Hunan province.

It is can be confirmed that the ruins are those of a polymetal production workshop, which chose iron as raw material, integrating smelting iron, casting, annealing, forging, refining and other technologies. Copper ware was also produced, experts from the institute said.

It is the largest excavated site focused on metalwork of the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220) and the Jin Dynasty (265-420) in South China so far, the institute said.

With an area of 75,000 square meters, the ruins were found in 2015, and archaeologists have unearthed relics made of pottery, porcelain, iron, copper, blended metals and stone.