Excavation unearths glimpse of Western Zhou Dynasty

An archaeological excavation at the ruins of Dushan in Zhejiang has unveiled 38 tombs, 37 artifact caches, more than 100 pieces of pottery and 25 bronzewares.

The project began in September 2022 and recently drew to a close.

The site is located in Lishui's Yunhe county and the site was identified as belonging to noble families in the Western Zhou Dynasty (c.11th century-771 BC).

"The bronzewares unearthed in the site are important archaeological discoveries in Zhejiang's research of the Shang and Zhou dynasties," said Chen Minghui, deputy director of the prehistoric archeological office at the Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archeology.

Chen said these precious historical relics provide important materials for the research of culture, bronze smelting and bronze manufacturing during the Western Zhou Dynasty in Zhejiang.

The archaeologist said the most significant discoveries in the tombs were bronzewares, signifying the tombs belonged to noble families.