Ancient Battlefield Unearthed from Southern and Northern Dynasties Period in China
Beijing, The Gulf Observer: Archaeologists from the Yecheng archaeological team have made a significant discovery at the Yecheng historic site in north China’s Hebei Province, revealing an ancient battlefield dating back to the Southern and Northern Dynasties (420-589).
The Yecheng historic site, situated in the city of Handan, encompasses two interconnected ancient city ruins and served as the capital for several ancient dynasties. The recent excavation of the former moat outside the Zhuming Gate of the southern city ruins has unveiled numerous ancient military artifacts, including armor and weapons, shedding light on the region’s historical significance.
In addition to military artifacts, the remains of a bridge were discovered during the excavation, featuring a brick-built load-bearing wall and evenly spaced pillar holes. Shen Lihua, associate researcher at the Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, explained, “This excavation has provided a preliminary understanding of the layout and structure of the moat and bridge, while offering new materials for researching the ceremonies and warfare centered around the gate.”
Shen, who led the excavation, detailed that the moat runs parallel to the direction of the city wall, with the water channel slightly narrowing at the central axis of the gate. The sediment in the ancient moat yielded a wealth of artifacts, including armor, bricks, tiles, and ceramic fragments, providing valuable insights into the historical context and activities surrounding the gate.
The archaeological team, comprised of experts from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the Hebei provincial institute of cultural relics and archaeology, conducted trial excavations on the moat from March to June 2023. This discovery is expected to contribute significantly to the understanding of ancient military strategies, architecture, and ceremonial practices during the Southern and Northern Dynasties period.
