Yaogou Ruins

Yaogou Ruins

The Yaogou Ruins are a protected cultural heritage site of Henan Province.

The Yaogou Kiln Site is located about 3 kilometers southwest of Dawei Town and approximately 18 kilometers south of the Pacun Kiln in Yuzhou. It was a highly significant kiln site during the Song and Jin dynasties in northern China.

The pottery produced at the Yaogou Kiln in Xinmi features relatively fine clay body, which can be broadly divided into two types in terms of color. One is a bluish-gray tone, with the Northern Song Dynasty products being similar to those from the Xiguan Kiln in Xinmi; the Jin Dynasty products are similar to those from the Pacun Kiln in Yuzhou and the Guantai Kiln in Cixian. However, most of the clay bodies tend toward a beige-yellow hue, due to slightly lower firing temperatures. In the kiln site remains, beige-yellow clay bodies account for 60–70% of the total. Only the black-glazed products have a dense body that consistently presents a bluish-gray color. Some products achieve the “white as cream, black as lacquer” quality of the Pacun Kiln in both glaze and engobe. Most products, however, appear slightly yellowish in appearance, with their black decorations often appearing grayish-black or golden-yellow. In terms of decorative motifs and artistic style, the Northern Song Dynasty products from the Yaogou Kiln in Xinmi are generally slightly inferior to those from the Xiguan Kiln in Miquan. The Jin Dynasty products are more flexible, delicate, soft, and elegant compared to those from the Pacun Kiln, standing out for their refined beauty among contemporary products.

The discovery of the Yaogou Kiln Site has shed light on the development of the ceramic industry in the Zhengzhou area during the Song and Jin dynasties, holding significant value for the study of economic history, technological history, and art history.

In 2019, the Yaogou Ruins were included in the eighth batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level.

Dawei Town: Located 40 kilometers southwest of Zhengzhou City, Dawei Town lies to the east of Xinzheng International Airport, west of Mount Song in Dengfeng, south of Yuzhou City, and north of Zhengzhou City. The town administers 25 administrative villages, 242 villager groups, and has a population of 61,000, covering a total area of 58.8 square kilometers. It is a papermaking industrial base for both Henan Province and the whole country, often referred to as the “Famous Papermaking Town of China.” It has been honored with titles such as “Well-Off Town of Zhengzhou,” “National Pilot Town for Ecological Environment and Infrastructure Construction Projects,” “Henan Comprehensive Reform and Development Pilot Town,” and “Key Town of Henan Province.” … Dawei Town Detailed Information++

Further Reading:

· First Batch of Protected Cultural Heritage Sites of Henan Province

· Eighth Batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level