The kiln furnaces were found at the Sangyuan archaeological site in Fuping county, Northwest China's Shaanxi province. Bricks with handprints were also unearthed at the site, the largest Tang Dynasty (618-907) kiln factory ever found. [Photo provided by Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology]

Largest Tang Dynasty kiln factory discovered in Shaanxi

More than 500 kiln furnaces, to-date the largest Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) kiln factory ruins, were discovered lately in Fuping county, Northwest China's Shaanxi province.

Exquisite architectural components with quality craftsmanship, like bricks with patterns of animal faces, were unearthed at the kiln factory site.

Experts said that the kiln factory might be closely related to the construction of Tang Emperor Zhongzong's Dingling Mausoleum, and may have supplied building materials to meet other city construction demands of the era as well.