Ancient winery site uncovered in China’s Hebei

In northern China’s Hebei region, an ancient winery going back 400 years to the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties has been unearthed.

Tanks for wine production were found during excavations at a building site in Hengshui’s Taocheng District in March of last year.

Experts with the Hebei Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology undertook a full investigation of the site between August and November.

Hu Qiang of the Hebei Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology headed the inquiry.

Covering an area of about 32,300 square feet, pits, drying fields, underground distillation stoves and a large number of relics including ceramic pieces, metals, glass and shells were unearthed at the site, according to Hu Qiang, who leads the archaeological team.

The researchers also noted that the layout, structure and scale of the site are rare in China, giving it a high level of cultural and historical significance.

In fact, the Taocheng District site is the only ancient winery from this period to have ever been excavated in North China.

Source: Xinhua 

Cover Photo: Hebei provincial institute of cultural relics and archaeology