Archaeologists in Hebei province have unearthed the 1,000-year-old ruins of an ancient building thought to date back to the Jin (960–1276) and Yuan (1271–1368) Dynasties.

After four months of excavation in the city of Huanghua, the ruins of an ancient hearth, fire pits and walls have been uncovered among bricks, tiles and broken porcelain. The findings show that there was heavy human activity around the site, which indicates that the ancient town likely had a prosperous economy, according to Lei Jianhong, head of the provincial archaeological research center in Hebei province.

Haifeng, the town in Huanghua where the ruins are located, is thought to have been a port for trade. The discovery of the ancient ruins may reveal new clues to the town's past, and provide more evidence for research on the town's role in the Maritime Silk Road, according to experts.