An excavation site map of Wuxing Sanwan Kiln Site in Huzhou. [Photo/WeChat account: huzhoufabu]

The Wuxing Sanwan Kiln Site in Huzhou was recently selected as a major archaeological discovery for 2024 in Zhejiang province.

Located west of Xisai Mountain in Huzhou, the Wuxing Sanwan Kiln Site underwent a 500-square-meter excavation in 2024, revealing four dragon kilns, two of which remain intact. The excavation yielded kiln utensils made of coarse pottery material such as pillars, support nails, pads, and various processing tools.

The discoveries shed light on the kiln site's history, dating back to the early Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220) and possibly extending to the Three Kingdoms period (220-280). Products from the site were predominantly fired in open flames, showcasing a variety of items like large hard pottery urns, some adorned with glazing and intricate decorations. To date, 25 different types of decorations on hard pottery have been documented.

The kiln site's eastern boundary is bordered by a natural river, which served production and daily life needs at the time, as well as facilitated product transportation via waterways. This aspect holds significant research value for understanding historical product trade and distribution.

This kiln site played a crucial role in Zhejiang's evolution from low-temperature glazed pottery to proto-porcelain and eventually mature celadon during the Eastern Han Dynasty. It stands as a vital research site for the study of "Zhejiang Celadon".