Archaeological excavations in Nanjing, East China’s Jiangsu Province, have uncovered the ruins of the ancient city of Changgan, significantly extending the city’s recorded history by an additional 600 years. This recent discovery places the origins of Nanjing over 3,000 years ago, deep into the Shang and Zhou dynasties period.
The ancient city, celebrated in the poetry of Li Bai from the Tang Dynasty, has revealed remarkable features through continuous excavations over the last six years. Among these are circular trenches, wall foundations, water wells, and a sacrificial pit for a pig. The trenches, in particular, have been identified as a key defensive feature of the city.
Lead archaeologist Chen Dahai, from the Nanjing Archaeological Research Institute, highlighted the significance of the trenches and walls, indicative of an ancient city’s defensive system. The findings indicate that the site was established during the Shang and Zhou dynasties, pushing back Nanjing’s history by 600 years, contrary to the previous belief that the city was founded around 2,500 years ago.
Historian Fang Gang noted Nanjing’s prominence as a capital throughout 13 dynasties, including the Song and Ming dynasties. However, this latest discovery, as remarked by Wang Wei, chairman of the Chinese Archaeology Council, marks a significant archaeological find in Nanjing for 2023.
Archaeologist Lu Zhaojun emphasized the potential insights this discovery could provide into the cultural practices, ritual beliefs, and daily lives of ancient Chinese peoples. Pottery with triangle decorations, including ritual vessels such as the ding, dou, and gui, were discovered at the site. These artifacts reflect the pottery craftsmanship prevalent during the Shang and Zhou dynasties and the cultural exchanges between northern and southern China.
The site also yielded pig bones and charcoal substances, further documenting the lives of people during this era. The ancient city of Changgan is part of the larger West Street Ruins, which cover an excavation area of 12,000 square meters. This site, near the historical Porcelain Tower of Nanjing, has produced over 10,000 archaeological items.
The West Street Ruins provide a vivid glimpse into the lively city scene of ancient times. They are now integrated into the West Street Archaeological Site Park program, which aims to exhibit the historical site to the public through various cultural events and activities.
This discovery not only adds a new chapter to Nanjing’s history but also illustrates the historical continuity of Chinese culture, offering a unique window into the country’s rich and diverse past.
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