Latest Archaeology News · 5 January 2022

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.

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According to the team, the remains of the ancient winery were found to have covered some 32,300 square feet (3,000 square metres). Excavations at the site (pictured) have reportedly revealed the remnants of pits, drying fields and underground distillation stoves
According to the team, the remains of the ancient winery were found to have covered some 32,300 square feet (3,000 square meters). Excavations at the site (pictured) have reportedly revealed the remnants of pits, drying fields, and underground distillation stoves

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

Written by Kayra Buyukyildirim

Kayra Buyukyildirim is a developer and webmaster of Arkeonews with 3 years of hands-on experience, including work on AI projects, and has been covering AI and archaeology for Arkeonews.