Porcelain shards excavated from the Shuomen Ancient Port Site in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]
The Shuomen Ancient Port Site in Wenzhou was among the top 10 cases of high-quality development of national cultural relics in 2023. This announcement was made during the Cultural and Natural Heritage Day event in Liaoning province on June 8.
Titled "City Main Roads Make Way for Cultural Heritage Protection", the model showcases the successful integration of urban development with archaeological conservation.
Situated in Lucheng district, the Shuomen Ancient Port Site has undergone extensive archaeological work since 2021, revealing significant relics from the Song (960-1279), Yuan (1271-1368) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, including ancient gates, river embankments, docks, sunken ships, and a wealth of porcelain and lacquered wood artifacts.
These findings have not only shed light on the region's historical maritime activities but have also bolstered Wenzhou's candidacy for including the Maritime Silk Road in the World Heritage list.
The city plans to further develop the site into a national archaeological park, aiming to highlight Wenzhou's cultural significance and contribute to the global recognition of the Maritime Silk Road.
Cultural and Natural Heritage Day, celebrated on the second Saturday of June, underscores China's commitment to preserving its rich cultural legacy.
