On September 28, a major archaeological discovery at the Shuomen ancient port site in Wenzhou was announced at the work meeting of the major project "Chinese Archeology" held by State Administration of Cultural Heritage. The ancient ruin is located at the east end of Wangjiang East Road, Lucheng District, Wenzhou. In October 2021, it was discovered in the archaeological preparatory work of the underpass project of Wangjiang Road. After Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology and Wenzhou Municipal Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology jointly carried out archaeological exploration and excavation, the remains of ancient city gate, grouped wharfs, brick paved roads, wooden plank roads, ganlan-styled residential architectures, water wells, ash pits and other well-preserved ancient relics have been unearthed. Furthermore, 2 sunken ships have been discovered, as well as several tons of porcelain pieces in Song and Yuan Dynasties, and various forms of lacquer wares,wood wares and other important relics. The age span of all kinds of relics lasted from the Northern Song Dynasty to the Republic of China, especially the Song and Yuan Dynasties.

Location of the ancient ruin of Shuomen Ancient Port in Wenzhou

The slope wharf in Northern Song Dynasty

The step wharf in Southern Song Dynasty

The 2 shipwrecks found at the ancient ruin are both “Fuchuan” (a kind of ship in ancient China). One of them is severely deformed on the bow and partial hull. It’s split into two sections with a total residual length of 12.4 meters and a maximum residual width of 4.1 meters. The hull plates are scale-shaped overlapped and wedged with iron nails. According to the number of remaining bulkhead panels, the total length of the ship is about 20 meters. Another wreck was found at the bottom of the 9-meter-deep foundation pit of western tunnel and is still being excavated.

The shipwreck in Song Dynasty

Tons of ancient porcelain fragments have been unearthed at this ancient ruin, more than 90% of which are Longquan kiln products coming from various kilns in the upstream and downstream of the Oujiang River. Most of these specimens have no traces of use, so they should be consumables destroyed in the process of transportation and transshipment. Some Wenzhou lacquer wares, brick carvings, building components, shells and plant seeds have been unearthed in the site as well.

Remains of ancient porcelains

Experts said that the large-scale archaeological site we discovered this time is rare at home and abroad with complete chronological system and abundant relics. They have successfully reproduced the prosperity of Wenzhou Port in the Song and Yuan Dynasties. It’s a strong demonstration of Wenzhou as a "Millennium Commercial Port" and an indispensable part of Maritime Silk Route. In terms of the value and preservation status of the ancient ruin, it is also one of the most perfect sites of Maritime Silk Route, which can be regarded as a major achievement of marine and urban archaeology in China in recent years.