Sunjiadong Paleolithic Site, together with nine other important locations, makes up the top 10 Chinese archaeological discoveries in 2012, according to Chinese authorities on Tuesday.

Expert said 2012 was a strong year for archaeology, and narrowed down an initial list of 25 sites for this year's top 10 list. The finds, which the earliest can be traced back to the Paleolithic era, are abundant sources to study the development of the Chinese civilization.

The selection is organized by the Archaeological Society of China and China Culture Relics Newspaper, and supervised by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage.

   Hailongtun Fortress Site

Hailongtun Fortress Site [gzmzwhw.cn]

Located on Longyan Mountain, about 30 km north of the old city of Zunyi in Guizhou Province, Hailongtun Fortress Site is the best well-preserved medieval castle ruins in China.

Established in 1257 and destroyed by the war in 1600, it consists of 9 passes and covers an area of 2 square kilometers. It was surrounded by cliffs on all four sides with only one entrance from the mountain road. It is the site to show the development of Tusi System (Native Chieftain System) and the architecture features unique characteristics.