China has released its top 10 archaeological discoveries of 2021, according to the National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA).

The findings, selected from a shortlist of 20 archaeological discoveries nationwide, were announced after a final round of presentations, appraisal and voting that was hosted by the Institute of Archaeology at Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Two of the top 10 archaeological discoveries were made in East China's Zhejiang province. They are the Neolithic paddy fields found at the Shi'ao Site in Yuyao and the Western Zhou Dynasty (c.11th century-771 BC) aristocratic mound tombs excavated in Quzhou's Qujiang district.

A stretch of Neolithic paddy fields unearthed at the Shi'ao Site in the county-level city of Yuyao, East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/WeChat account: nbfb0574]

Some of the 3,000-year-old relics from several Western Zhou Dynasty aristocratic mound tombs in Qujiang district, Quzhou, Zhejiang province. [Photo/WeChat account: quzhoufb]