More than 600 pieces of porcelain tiles from the late Song Dynasty (960-1279) were recently unearthed in the Sri Lankan coastal city of Jaffna. The relics were identified as being mainly produced in the southeastern coastal areas of China, with most of them coming from Guangzhou's Xicun village and ancient Chaozhou kilns which are now located in Chao'an county, Guangdong province.

Archaeologists from China and Sri Lanka pose for a group photo. [Photo/Guangzhou Daily]

The discovery of the exported porcelains not only provide detailed material evidence for understanding the Maritime Silk Road and the trade between China and Sri Lanka, but also have important academic significance for studying trade routes, shipping networks and cultural exchanges between the two countries during that era.

As an important link for economic exchange between China and the West, the Maritime Silk Road has a history of more than 2,000 years. It started from the coastal ports of China and passed through Southeast Asia before crossing the Indian Ocean, entering the Red Sea, and finally reaching East Africa and Europe. Sri Lanka has an important position in ancient maritime trade because of its location in the center of the Indian Ocean, making it a stopping-off point along many sea routes.

Archaeologists carefully unearth artefacts at a dig site in the Sri Lankan coastal city of Jaffna. [Photo/Guangzhou Daily]

In the late Song Dynasty, as Guangzhou's port began to develop into a key trading hub, the export of porcelain wares from Guangdong and Fujian increased and helped the provinces to prosper.

"It can be seen that China's exported porcelain at that time was a best seller in Sri Lanka," said Chen Jie, head of the archaeology department of Shanghai Museum, which sent an archaeologist team to work with experts from Sri Lanka on the discovery.

He added that the excavations have once again confirmed the important position of the site in the history of Sino-Sri Lankan exchange.

Archaeologists classify the unearthed relics. [Photo/Guangzhou Daily]