A walled city, which is over 600 years old, was excavated in China (3 photos)
Archaeologists have discovered an ancient fortified city in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, China, that is over 600 years old. According to Xinhua, the discovery provides new insights into the coastal defense system of the South China Sea during the Ming Dynasty. 
The excavations revealed two sections of massive fortified walls, about 100 meters long and 7.6 meters thick. In addition, the researchers found the remains of city roads, drains, building foundations, wells, and many household items that indicate life in this fortified settlement. The total area of the excavations was 3,000 square meters, making this project the largest archaeological study of the region in recent years, the Xinhua news agency reported.
Archaeologists believe that the fortress city played a strategically important role in defending China's southern sea borders. According to Cao Jin, director of the Guangdong Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, it served as the province's first fortified point, protecting it from potential invasions. In the future, researchers plan to reconstruct its layout to better understand the rules for building coastal defense systems at that time. An archaeological park may also appear at the site of the discovery. 
Meanwhile, on Mount Helan, in the Yinchuan region, archaeologists have discovered the remains of a major porcelain production center, which is up to a thousand years old. Experts note that the ceramics found at the site of the ancient workshops are surprisingly similar to the products produced in the famous Jingdezhen, known as the "capital of porcelain." This discovery confirms the high degree of ethnocultural integration of China during that period.
Excavations in this area began in 2017. Scientists have already identified six ancient kilns, the remains of pottery workshops and pits where materials for production were mined - clay, coal, quartz and lime. The white ceramics found here are distinguished by their fine texture, warm glaze luster and translucent effect, typical of high-end porcelain. 
