On September 30, the Provincial Bureau of Cultural Relics announced top ten new archaeological discoveries in Hunan Province during the 13th Five-Year Plan. Because of "witnessing" the fusion of nationalities and cultures on both sides of Nanling, the site of ancient city of Linwu Dutou is on the list.

Site of the ancient city of Dutou, Linwu

In order to show the archaeological achievements during the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020), the Provincial Bureau of Cultural Relics, the Provincial Archaeological Society and the Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology organized experts to review the new archaeological discoveries in Hunan Province during the 13th Five-Year Plan period. After deliberation and voting, ten new archaeological discoveries were finally chose.

Eaves tiles unearthed from the site

The ten new archaeological discoveries are: the Paleolithic Site of Shandinggai in Linli, Xiawan Site in Luxi, Qixingdun Site in Huarong, Sunjiagang Site in Lixian County, Luojiachong Site in Ningxiang, Nanping Tomb Group in Changde, Ancient City Site in Linwu, Wuliping Ancient Tomb Group in Lanshan, Yangtangshan Kiln Site and Tomb Group in Dapu, Hengdong, and Dahuping Site in Fushou Mountain, Pingjiang.

Located in the South Bank of Wushui River, Dutou Village, Fenshi Town, Linwu County, the site is a settlement site of the ancient city with the site of Dutou City as the center and including the surrounding tombs. It dates from Han Dynasty to the Six Dynasties. The site of Dutou Ancient City is the earliest existing ancient city site in Linwu County. It is the only well dated and well preserved ancient city settlement site on the ancient road of Hunan and Guangdong. Its existence has witnessed the integration of ethnic groups and cultures in the south and north sides of the Nanling Mountains, and is also an important part of the pluralistic integration of Chinese culture.

Pottery unearthed from the site

With the approval of the State Administration of Cultural Relics, from January to December 2017, archaeologists from Hunan Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology carried out the survey and excavation of the ancient city site of Dutou. The unearthed relics include pottery, celadon, bronze and iron.