Archaeologists from the Jilin provincial Relics and Archaeology Institute have reported finding a well-preserved kiln site from almost 800 years ago, near the city of Baishan, at the Chengsijiazi site with pottery shards and pits from the Liao (916-1125) and Jin (1115-1234) dynasties.

Bird's eye view of the Chengsijiazi site of the Liao (916-1125) and Jin (1115-1234) dynasties, near Baishan. [Photo/xinhua]

The site director, Liang Huili, noted, "The site is one continuing surprise, a perfectly preserved one like this is rarely seen in China," then went on to explain that they were careful in excavating the site, June to October, of last year when they found two brick-kiln sites from the Jin dynasty with pottery sherds scattered about.

Panoramic view of the pottery kiln. [Photo/xinhua]

Liang added, "We saw a well-preserved gate, chimney, and a wall in two oval kiln sites, with the ceiling a bit broken, but elsewhere everything seems fine. The wall is 5-cm thick and made of a mixture of mud and grass."

Archaeologists digging at the site. [Photo/xinhua]

The remains include pottery for daily use, with some thought to be quite skillfully crafted, and one pot being the most revealing piece of earthenware showing the skills of the time, which have been previously understudied in period when porcelain and bricks were important.

Liang concluded by saying, "This discovery provides good evidence for future studies, and is important for the study of kiln technology and handcrafts in Jin dynasty."

Unearthed kiln. [Photo/xinhua]

The archaeologists also uncovered sites of five houses, with ash pits, which are thought to be the living area of the workers.

Gate of the kiln. [Photo/xinhua]