Han Dynasty Beacon Towers Discovered in Northeast China

More then sixty beacon towers and farming tools and pottery including jars and basins, have been discovered in the cities of Fushun and Liaoyang in northeast China 's Liaoning Province after a year of excavation.

Xiao Jingquan, curator of the Fushun Museum, said the beacon towers extend as long as over 150 km at intervals of 1.5 to 2.5 km, and are made of clay and stone.

Xiao said that the pottery, the building materials, and the farming tools are evidence that the towers were built in the Western Han Dynasty ( 206 B.C.-24 A.D.).

According to the historical record, a large number of beacon towers were built in the eastern part of the province along the ancient Great Wall, but this is the first time evidence of such structures has been found.

Archeologists say this find will be significant for the study of political and military affairs, and relations among ethnic groups during the period.


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