Ceramics unearthed from the Shabu Kiln, located in Taizhou's Huangyan district. [Photo/taizhou.com.cn]

Recent archaeological discoveries have shed light on the historical significance of the Shabu Kiln, situated in Huangyan district of Taizhou. These findings have revealed that the kiln played a crucial role in bridging the gap between two celadon kilns around 1,000 years ago during the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) in Zhejiang province.

Throughout the centuries, the Yue Kiln in eastern Zhejiang and the Longquan Kiln in the southwest have enjoyed esteemed positions in the rich history of Chinese ceramics. However, scholars and historians have long grappled with an enigma - a missing link that could connect these two renowned kilns. This groundbreaking discovery has now filled this significant void in the realm of Chinese ceramic archaeology, offering valuable insights into the intricate connections between these kilns.

Situated in the town of Shabu and Gaoqiao sub-district within Huangyan district, the Sandbu Kiln site was initially unearthed in 1956 and currently enjoys national protection as a cultural relic. From 2019 to 2023, the Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, in collaboration with the Huangyan Museum, Peking University, and the Palace Museum, conducted extensive excavations at the site, leading to some remarkable discoveries.

Most of the recent findings at the Shabu Kiln consist of exquisite celadon ceramics. These ceramics have been discovered at various important domestic archaeological sites, providing tantalizing clues about their export overseas.

Ding Yu, a researcher at Peking University's School of Archaeology and Museology, affirms that the finest specimens of Shabu Kiln ceramics represent the pinnacle of Chinese ceramic craftsmanship during that era. Moreover, they provide fresh evidence for the study of Chinese ceramic exports in the 11th century.