Shangjia Ancient Kiln Site

Shangjia Ancient Kiln Site

Shangjia Ancient Kiln Site is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Jiangxi Province.

Shangjia Ancient Kiln Site, located in Wenfeng Township, Xunwu County, comprises 44 kiln mounds spread across an area of approximately 25 square kilometers. It yielded artifacts such as bowls, cups, plates, jars, four-handled pots, and oil lamps produced from the Sui-Tang period to the Northern Song Dynasty.

Shangjia Ancient Kiln Site was discovered during the cultural relics survey conducted between 1981 and 1990. It is situated in Wenfeng Township, Xunwu County, at the junction of Fujian, Guangdong, and Jiangxi provinces, about 15 kilometers from the county seat.

Shangjia Ancient Kiln Site includes 44 kiln mounds covering an area of about 25 square kilometers. Based on the geographical features, it can be divided into four areas: Shangjia, Yuandunbei_Kangtali, and Gaoqiaotou. The Shangjia kiln area is centered around Shangjia Village, with six scattered accumulations nearby. Artifacts include bowls, cups, plates, jars, four-handled pots, and oil lamps. Among them, open deep-bellied bowls, straight-mouthed ribbed-bellied bowls, golden rooster button flower-patterned jars, and spinning top button double-handled jars are the most common. The clay body varies moderately in thickness and coarseness. The glaze colors range from blue with white or yellow tints, and most pieces are uncracked.

In 1990, the Ganzhou Museum and the County Revolutionary History Memorial Hall formed a joint exploration team that conducted trial excavations at two kiln mounds, uncovering numerous specimens such as bowls, plates, dishes, beans, bottles, pots, jars, and basins. These specimens feature diverse glaze colors—including white, milky white, and bluish-green—and exhibit elegant shapes and good quality. They have been identified as artifacts from the Sui-Tang period to the Northern Song Dynasty.

Further reading:

· Third Batch of Jiangxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Units