Zhongchenhao Kiln Site

Zhongchenhao Kiln Site

The Zhongchenhao Kiln Site is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Zhongchenhao porcelain kiln site is located about 10 kilometers slightly northwest of downtown Zaozhuang City, Shandong Province, within Zhongchenhao Village, Zouwu Town, Xuecheng District.

To the north of the kiln site lies a mountain foothill that connects to Diaotai and Zhuo Mountain. The southern part features undulating hills, and there are nearby coal mines rich in kaolin. The Panlong River flows from north to south through the village. The kiln site covers a fairly large area, spanning approximately four to five square kilometers. Ancient porcelain shards are scattered across fields and along the riverbanks, easily found everywhere. The entire village is built upon the ruins of ancient handicraft workshops. Beneath the ground at depths of over three meters throughout the village, layers of porcelain shards from different eras have accumulated. Over the years, villagers have discovered thousands of intact ceramics while plowing fields or digging irrigation channels—ranging from everyday utensils to exquisitely crafted toys. The ancient Zhongchenhao porcelain kiln site can be divided into three major areas: the celadon district lies eastward of the Panlong River as it exits the village. Along both banks of the riverbed, numerous celadon shards and kiln tools are scattered, extending all the way to the southern parts of Beichenhao and Zhangling Villages. There are many kiln sites in the fields, with soil colors ranging from black to red, and ancient porcelain shards can be seen everywhere on the surface layer of cultivated land. In some sections along the riverbanks, the piles of shards reach heights of up to three meters. Most of the ceramic fragments are celadon-glazed, with occasional pieces featuring yellow glaze, soy sauce glaze, or brown splashed designs.

In 1987, an excavation was conducted in the celadon district north of the village. The cultural deposits were divided into six layers, each with varying soil texture, color, and artifacts, which could be classified into four periods: the first period dates back to the late Northern Dynasties; the second to the Sui Dynasty; the third to the Tang and Five Dynasties periods; and the fourth to the Northern Song Dynasty. This indicates the long duration of human activity at the site. Based on the excavated relics, they can be grouped into three main categories: kiln tools, ceramics, and bronze ware. Kiln tools mainly include three-legged supports, tubular supports, irregularly shaped supports, pillars, pedestals, saggers, spacers, five-toothed supports, hoof-shaped core molds, spacer discs, spacer nails, and spacer plates. Ceramics comprise bowls, figurines of Hu people, jars, basins, plates, bowls, cups, pot-mouthed ewers, high-footed plates, lids, teapots, water containers, lamps, xun flutes, and inkstones. Bronze items mainly consist of Sui Dynasty wuzhu coins, bronze mirrors, and Northern Song Dynasty coins.

During this archaeological excavation, an important set of remains was also discovered in the celadon district, including material soaking pools, kilns, and ash pits. The soaking pool has a rectangular shape, with a 3-centimeter-thick layer of kaolin still preserved at the bottom. Two Sui Dynasty kilns were uncovered, featuring irregular oval shapes and consisting of flues, kiln doors, combustion chambers, ash removal passages, central pillars, kiln beds, and chimneys. Sui Dynasty kilns are rarely found in northern China, and this marks the first discovery in Shandong. This ancient kiln, dating back over 1,300 years, provides crucial insights into the structure of ancient kilns and the firing techniques of ceramics. Four ash pits from the Tang Dynasty were also found, yielding a large number of restorable kiln tools and ceramics.

The numerous ceramics unearthed from the celadon district north of Zhongchenhao Kiln Site Village feature simple and solemn designs, primarily serving practical purposes. Their glaze color is a celadon shade with hints of green, making them sturdy and durable. Previously, scholars studying the history of ceramic development often adhered to the notion of "celadon in the south, white porcelain in the north," believing that celadon was produced in the south and white porcelain in the north before the Sui and Tang Dynasties. The large number of celadon wares found in Zhongchenhao indicates that Zaozhuang had already begun producing celadon before the Sui and Tang Dynasties.

In 2006, the Zhongchenhao Kiln Site was included in the sixth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units by the State Council as an ancient site dating from the Northern and Southern Dynasties to the Qing Dynasty.

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units