Location: Fufeng County, Shaanxi Province

Period: Western Zhou Dynasty (1100-771BC)

Excavation period: April 2003

A joint team of researchers from Peking University , Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Shaanxi Archaeology Research Institute, led by Xu Tianjin

 Findings

In April 2003, the ruins of bronze workshops from the Western Zhou Dynasty (11th century-711BC) were unearthed in the Zhouyuan area of Baoji City, Northwest China's Shaanxi Province. Spreading across Zhuangbai and Lijia villages, the site was named the Lijia (Li Family) Bronze Workshops, with an area of 875 square meters. Here, archeologists found the ruins of 120 ash pits, eight house foundations, two wells, three ash ditches, 35 tombs and one horse-and-chariot pit.

The site harvested thousands of pottery and bronze artifacts. The most interesting relics include a number of pottery moulds with intricate engravings found in six ash pits. Other artifacts include ding s, pots, bronze bells, bronze buttons and other instruments. These rare and valuable items bear fascinating inscriptions and splendid decorations.

Handicrafts progressed during this period and the bronze industry was especially important. Bronze works greatly increased in quality, quantity and variety so that their usage encompassed nearly every aspect of daily life.

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