"Horshoe Kilns" Unearthed: Chinese Archaeologists Discover 1,000-Year-Old Pottery Workshop in Inner Mongolia

The Institute of Cultural Heritage and Archaeology in Inner Mongolia recently announced the discovery of three horseshoe-shaped ancient kilns near the site of the ancient city of Wu'anzhou. Dating back to the Liao and Jin Dynasties (907-1234 AD), these structures are believed to be part of a sophisticated pottery production workshop from a millennium ago.

Excavations at the Ancient City of Wu'anzhou The discovery occurred during excavations conducted between July and November in Chifeng City. Each kiln features a functional design consisting of a working area, a combustion chamber, and a smoke exhaust room. Within a compact 500-square-meter area, archaeologists unearthed over 50 architectural remains, including house foundations, storage cellars, and ash pits, providing a clear map of the ancient industrial site.

Artifacts and Historical Significance The site yielded a diverse array of artifacts, including:

• Ceramics & Pottery: Jars, basins, and plates.

• Metal & Bone Tools: Iron farming implements, copper statues, and ancient coins. Gai Zhiyong, vice president of the institute, noted that these finds provide critical physical evidence for studying the urban layout and social hierarchy of the Liao Dynasty, as well as the daily productive lives of its citizens.