A celadon-glazed carved pot from the Yaozhou Kiln of the Northern Song Dynasty exhibited in the Shanxi Museum. Photo: IC

More than 60 valuable Yaozhou celadon wares have been excavated in Xi'an, Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, according to an announcement by the Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology.

Archeologists discovered more than 40 ancient tombs from the Han (206BC-AD220), Song (960-1279) and Ming (1368-1644) dynasties, five of which have been identified as belonging to a family surnamed Meng from the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). 

Discovered at the middle-north area of the excavation zone, the five Meng family tombs contained more than 100 burial objects such as pottery wares, jades and the Yaozhou celadon wares. Three of the tombs were in good condition, while the other two had been broken into by grave robbers in 2010. The tomb owners were the children and family members of a pair of brothers who lived during the Northern Song Dynasty. At least four people in the tomb were under the age of 30. 

The Yaozhou celadon wares are a major highlight of the excavated items. The 60 rare relics, most of which are in good condition, include everyday tea and wine utensils as well as sacrificial vessels. 

Porcelain wares from the Yaozhou Kiln were the representative celadon ware of North China. The Northern Song Dynasty was considered the heyday of Yaozhou ware, while celadon wares in general were the most popular and lauded wares during the late Song Dynasty. Yaozhou celadon wares were often decorated with delicate patterns such as peony and lotus flowers as well as phoenix and fish, and included bowls, plates, pots and incense burners. 

The discovery of the Yaozhou celadon wares is the latest important archaeology discovery of the Song Dynasty following the discovery of relics in the Lü family tombs from 2006 to 2009 in Lantian county in Xi'an.