Protection of Guizhou's Dasongshan site selected among outstanding cases

A bronze ornament found at the grave complex in Dasongshan site, Guizhou province. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The National Cultural Heritage Administration recently announced the "outstanding cases of archaeology and cultural relics protection in national infrastructure construction," highlighting 21 exemplary projects.

Among these was the archaeological excavation and cultural relic protection of the grave complex of Dasongshan site in Southwest China's Guizhou province.

The Dasongshan site's grave complex is located in Machang town, Gui'an New Area. It was discovered in 2021 during the construction of the first phase of the new campus of Guizhou Medical University.

From July 2022 to January 2023, the Guizhou Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology conducted a comprehensive excavation of the grave complex, uncovering 2,192 graves and over 4,000 artifacts. This excavation was recognized as one of China's top 10 archaeological discoveries in 2022.

The discovery of the grave complex provides crucial evidence for studying the history and culture of the southwestern region of China. It also vividly illustrates the formation of Chinese civilization's diverse and unified structure and the extensive cultural exchanges between different regions.

The Guizhou Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology is currently organizing the excavation data. The restoration of excavated ceramics and ironware is nearly complete, while the restoration and research of bronze, silver, and lacquerware are steadily progressing. The archaeological report on the grave complex of the Dasongshan site will soon be published.