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Archaeological authorities of the Zhejiang provincial government announced the discovery of 25 ancient dam sites in Shaoxing on Aug 15.

Archaeologists identified 25 ancient dams, 11 of which were confirmed to date back to the Yue state from the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC).

Shaoxing, once the capital of the Yue state, features terrain that slopes from the Kuaiji Mountains in the south to the northern plains.

Historical records indicate that the Yue state constructed various water management projects, including mountain ponds, canals, and sea dikes, across the region's diverse landscapes.

Shaoxing has a rich history of scholarly research on ancient waterworks. However, systematic archaeological investigations had not been conducted until now. This survey focused on confirming the existence of these ancient hydraulic structures.

The archaeological survey concentrated on mountain pond dams, primarily around the northern foothills of the Kuaiji Mountains and the adjacent plains, covering an area of approximately 4,000 square kilometers, extending slightly into Hangzhou and Ningbo.

The discovery of the Yue state's hydraulic system in Shaoxing provides valuable insights into the history of Chinese water management technology and urban planning, said archaeological authorities.