Sillongkou Celadon Kiln Site

Sillongkou Celadon Kiln Site

The Sillongkou Celadon Kiln Site is a Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Unit.

This ancient kiln site, situated at the foot of Diaogan Mountain in Sillong Village, Kuangyan Town, operated for nearly 300 years, from the late Tang Dynasty to the Southern Song Dynasty. Its abundant relics and diverse varieties make it one of the finest among the Yue Kiln group. From 1998 to 1999, the Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, the Department of Archaeology at Peking University, and the Cixi Municipal Cultural Relics Management Committee jointly conducted two archaeological excavations, finally bringing this kiln site, which had remained unknown for nearly a thousand years, back to light.

The total area of the kiln site spans 4,000 square meters. The discovered dragon kiln remains reflect the structural features and firing procedures of the Southern Song Dynasty. In addition to the dragon kiln, a production workshop was also excavated nearby. Of even greater archaeological significance, the excavation of this kiln site changed the long-held academic view that the Yue Kiln declined during the Northern Song Dynasty, extending its active period by more than 100 years. After the excavation results were announced, visitors flocked to the site, transforming the once quiet Sillong Village into a popular destination. Though the dazzling array of porcelain fragments contains an immense wealth of information, understanding them fully requires specialized knowledge. Even so, every visitor can still vividly sense the great charm of ancient Yue celadon culture through the tangible ruins and pottery pieces.

Among the “Top Ten New Archaeological Discoveries of 1998” announced by the National Cultural Heritage Administration, the excavation of the Sillongkou Kiln Site was included.

Kuangyan Town: Located in the economically developed Yangtze River Delta region, within the coastal open area of Shanghai-Hangzhou-Ningbo, south of Hangzhou Bay, Kuangyan Town lies close to Cixi’s urban area. It is 56 kilometers east of Ningbo, 150 kilometers west of Hangzhou, nestled at the foot of the Siming Mountains to the south, and just across the water from Shanghai to the north. The administrative area covers 42 square kilometers, encompassing 24 administrative villages and 1 community management committee, with a total population of over 20,000.

Surrounded by mountains and water, Kuangyan enjoys a mild climate, pleasant seasons, abundant produce, and beautiful scenery. It is the birthplace of the historical culture of Yue Kiln celadon ware, the hometown of the Qing Dynasty celebrity Gao Shiqi, and a province-level... More detailed information about Kuangyan Town++

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Units