Ancient structures discovered in Songjiang Shanghai

updated: 2008-10-21

Twenty-three ancient structures dating to the Ming and Qing dynasties, as well as the Mingguo period, were recently discovered in Shanghai’s Songjiang District, according to a Shanghai Evening Post report.

The structures were scattered in a 0.2square-kilometer area that was known as Cang Cheng during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) because it was home to many grain piers.

The Temple Of Guan Yu was considered the most valuable find, according to the report. The temple, found near Yushu Road, is one of few pieces of architecture from the Ming Dynasty in the city

The discovery will help experts better understand the architecture and culture of the late Ming Dynasty, Yang Kun, the vice director of Songjiang District Museum, told the newspaper.

The frames of the ancient temple are intact, but part of the roof and wall surfaces were destroyed, the report said.

Most archeological finds in the city date to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) or Mingguo period (1912-1949). Many of the buildings from these eras had exotic designs, which indicated a strong economy and the presence of more foreigners in the city, the report said.

Since most ancient structures are found in residential areas, recovery work is complicated, according to the report. However the district still plans to develop the area into a historical cultural zone with old piers to reproduce the historical scene.

The famous Guangfulin relics, believed to be left behind by a migrant culture about 4,000 years ago, are also in Songjiang. The district will turn the Guangfulin relics into a cultural park next year, the report added.

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