Linzi district in Zibo city has been assessed to own two of the "Five Major Archaeological Discoveries in Shandong province in 2022," according to a press conference held on March 1.
The two discoveries were found in Zhaojia Xuyao village and in Qidu town, respectively.
More than 200 shards of pottery were found at the site in Zhaojia Xuyao village, with two complete pieces deemed able to be restored.
The Jiatan pottery discovered there reflects how the area was one of the most mature pottery-making sites in early China, said Sun Bo, director of the Cultural Relics Archaeological Research Institute in Shandong.
Meanwhile the other site, Nanmafang tomb, is located in Qidu town about 2 kilometers from the ancient state of Qi. This ranked as one of the most powerful states in China for over 800 years during the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC) and Warring States Period (475-221 BC).
Two rectangular chariot pits were discovered at the east and north end of the tomb. Chariot pit No 1 is 56 meters long and 4.1 meters wide, while No 2 measures 24.5 meters by 4.2 meters.
A section of chariot pit No 1. [Photo/sdxw.iqilu.com]
They are the largest chariot pits excavated in the province, making them a rare discovery in China.
