Site of Han Dynasty village discovered in Sichuan, SW China

An ancient village site dating back to the Han Dynasty (202 BC - 220 AD) has been found in Southwest China's Sichuan province, local archaeological authorities said Thursday.

The site, dubbed Qiaojinshangjie Site, is located around a college in Xinjin county of Chengdu city, Sichuan's provincial capital.

Archaeologists say it is rare to see this kind of Han Dynasty village in the province.

Pits, ditches, remains of nine houses, a well, and river courses were discovered in the site, along with plenty of items including cooking utensils, kettles, urns, pots, tiles, and bronze coins.

"This used to be a relevant large residential community, about the size of a village," said Yang Yang, leader of an archaeological team from the cultural relics and archaeology institute of Chengdu.

"We figured out the distribution of the village through excavation. The residential area was located in the western and northern areas, while drainage systems connecting with the river were found in the eastern and southern parts of the village," said Yang.

"These findings are significant for the study of grassroots production and living, and the tribe's distribution and economy during the Han Dynasty," he added.

More objects, such as bowls, cups, pots, kettles, incense burners and inkstones believed to be used between the Tang (618-907) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties were also found in nearby areas.