Relics from seven dynasties discovered

Archaeologists have unearthed artifacts from seven dynasties, shedding new light on living conditions and lifestyles.

More than 6,700 cultural relics from a site in North China's Hebei province were recovered, according to local authorities.

The site is located in the south square of Kaiyuan Temple, Zhengding county.

Archaeologists spent five years excavating an area of more than 3,000 square meters, the provincial institute of cultural relics said.

The seven dynasties were the Tang (618-907), Five Dynasties (907-960), Northern Song (960-1127), Jin (1115-1234), Yuan (1271-1368), Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911).

Chen Wei, an associate researcher at the institute, said that based on the artifacts and the lifestyles of the different eras, the texture and color of the findings varied from each other.

Chen also said the ruins of the temple, a city wall defense system, houses, streets and alleys were uncovered during the excavation.

Zhengding is a famous historical and cultural towns in China. It was dubbed one of the three towns of particular importance in northern China in ancient times, along with Beijing and Baoding.

The new findings will give people a new understanding of the layout, functional changes and daily lives of the inhabitants of Zhengding since the Tang Dynasty, which aids the study of the culture and ancient cities of northern China, Chen said.