Fragments of pottery unearthed from the Wenzhou Shuomen Ancient Port Site in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province (Photo/ Courtesy of the National Cultural Heritage Administration)

China's National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA) on Tuesday revealed the country's Top 10 Archaeological Discoveries of 2022, which aims to recognize the most significant archaeological discoveries made in China in the year.

The 10 outstanding discoveries are the highlights of 32 archaeological projects. They provide deeper insight into the cultural and social developments of their respective times and dynasties, illustrating China's history of human evolution over millions of years, cultural history of 10,000 years and recorded history spanning more than 5,000 years. 

Wenzhou Shuomen Ancient Port Site Was Chosen

The Wenzhou Shuomen ­Ancient Port Site is located in the eastern section of ­Wangjiang East Road outside of the ancient Shuomen city gate in Wenzhou, East China's Zhejiang Province, the only project chosen in Zhejiang this year.

The discovery of the site has provided more information about the export of Longquan Porcelain - the dominating export porcelain from the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) to the mid-Ming Dynasty - from Wenzhou, a major port along the ancient Maritime Silk Road.

As ports were the main connecting points for the Maritime Silk Road, the ­discovery of the Wenzhou Shuomen Ancient Port Site has outstanding value for research into the history of global navigation and is an important supporting pillar for the application of the Maritime Silk Road as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Editor: Xiao Da, Lou Shihang (intern)