Two sites in Taizhou have recently been listed among the top 10 important archaeological discoveries in Zhejiang in 2023, as announced by the Zhejiang Provincial Archaeology Society on Jan 21.

One of the honored sites from the city is the ruins of Zhang'an ancient city, situated in Huipu village, Zhang'an sub-district. Since 2021, more than 1,600 cultural relics have been unearthed from the ruins, shedding light on Zhang'an's most prosperous period during the Western Jin (265-316), Eastern Jin (317-420), and Northern and Southern Dynasties (420-589). The excavations revealed a network of houses and intricate drainage facilities, aligning with historical records.

The other recognized site is the Shabu Kiln site, located in the town of Shabu and Gaoqiao sub-district within Huangyan district. Initially discovered in 1956, the site has been under national protection as a cultural relic. From 2019 to 2023, extensive excavations at the site led to remarkable discoveries, including the finest specimens of Shabu Kiln ceramics, representing the pinnacle of Chinese ceramic craftsmanship during that era. These findings provide fresh evidence for the study of Chinese ceramic exports in the 11th century.

Shabu Kiln porcelain has been found in various locations within China, such as Ningbo, Hangzhou, Shanghai, Kaifeng, Hong Kong, as well as in countries including the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Jordan, and Egypt. 

In recognition of its significance, the Shabu Kiln site has also been shortlisted as one of the top 10 archaeological discoveries in China in 2023.