A stone component of a water gate in the Ming Dynasty unearthed in Chongchuan. [Photo/WeChat account: chongchuanonline]

Archaeological finds in Chongchuan district, Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province, were recently proven valuable by provincial authorities.

A blue-and-white porcelain bowl unearthed in Chongchuan. [Photo/WeChat account: chongchuanonline]

These finds include an ancient riverway, stone components of a water gate in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and 154 cultural relics, including a ship from the early Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

Copper coins in the Qing Dynasty unearthed in Chongchuan. [Photo/WeChat account: chongchuanonline]

Archaeologists believe that this archaeological discovery offers material for the study of ancient ships and the shipping history of Nantong and is of great importance to the construction of national parks highlighting Yangtze River culture in Nantong.

The unearthed relics were made of wood, porcelain, pottery, iron, and bronze, with the ship being the most notable.

A sand carrier from the early Qing Dynasty unearthed in Chongchuan. [Photo/WeChat account: chongchuanonline]

Spanning 9.9 meters, the ship remains largely intact. Judged from its shape and structure, as well as the coins in the cabin, the ship was made in the early Qing Dynasty for transporting sand, according to archaeologists who participated in the archaeological excavation project.