An archaeological discovery in Anhui province has been chosen by the State Bureau of Cultural Relics to be included in the country's 2013 top 10 finds.

The relics, the Qiaojianzi colored glaze kiln site dating from the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), were unearthed by the Anhui Cultural Relics Archaeology Institute and the Fengyang Cultural Relics Office, according to the Fengyang Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television.

The site was discovered when archaeologists made excavations in the second half of 2013 before a project was launched to build a new expressway to connect the Bengbu-Huainan expressway with the Nanjing-Luoyang expressway.

“This excavation fills the gap in the dynasty's findings,” said a source from the Anhui Cultural Relics Archaeological Institute.

Archaeologists discovered a total of 12 glazed kilns built in the early stages and mid-period of the Ming dynasty, three tombs from the Han dynasty (206BC-220AD), one tomb of the Warring States period (475-221BC), two tombs from the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911) and 19 pottery kilns.

All the unearthed relics were well preserved. The dragon designs and eaves titles were perceived as building materials for imperial mausoleums and palaces in the Ming dynasty, said the source.

“These finds will contribute to the study of architecture and the ceramic production process in the Ming dynasty,” the source said.