Excavations at a large ancient kiln site in east China's Anhui Province, dating back to the Five Dynasties Period (907-960), have produced evidence which effectively rewrites the history of China's white celadon porcelain.
The findings at a 500-square meter kiln site, including several hundred pieces of white celadon, a special type of porcelain, indicate the kiln appeared more than 1,000 years ago.
It was generally accepted that the technology to make white celadon porcelain first appeared in the Song Dynasty (960-1279), well known for its unique methods for making china.
Archaeologists from the Anhui Archaeological Research Institute said that the kiln, located in Fanchang County, was one of the earliest well-preserved white celadon porcelain kilns in China.
Depending on different iron levels in the clay, celadon porcelain comes in various shades of white, gray and grayish green.
The porcelain pieces unearthed are all bowls, jars, pots and kettles, as well as tools for making china.
The 53.5-meter long kiln was nestled against a hill running east to west.
This kind of kiln is also called a "dragon kiln" in Chinese because of its particular shape. With a closed top, it was especially good for firing celadon pottery and large porcelain pieces, representing the style of china popular in the north of the country.
The discovery will provide archeologists with important clues on the merging of porcelain techniques in northern and southern China.
(Xinhua News Agency January 20, 2003)
