Lost temple discovered after 1,000 years in Chengdu

Workers carry out cleanup work inside an unearthed ditch at the excavation site of the Fugan Temple, which disppeared for nearly a millennium, in Chengdu, capital of Southwest China's Sichuan province, June 2, 2017. Archaeologists have spent months excavating the lost Fugang Temple in downtown Chengdu. The Fugan Temple was a famous temple that lasted from the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420) to the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279). Archaeologists unearthed more than 1,000 tablets inscribed with Buddhist scriptures and over 500 pieces of stone sculpture as well as glazed tiles with inscriptions. [Photo/Xinhua]

Archaeologists unearthed more than 1,000 tablets inscribed with Buddhist scriptures and over 500 pieces of stone sculpture as well as glazed tiles with inscriptions.

"We have only excavated a part of the temple's area, but already have a glimpse of its past glory," said Yi Li, who led the excavation project.

He said they have found the temple's foundation, ruins of surrounding buildings, wells, roads and ditches.

During the excavation, archaeologists found some 80 ancient tombs scattered near the temple, dating back to Shang and Zhou dynasties (1600-256 BC). In the temple's surroundings, they have unearthed large amounts of household tools and utensils and building materials dating back to various periods from the Song to Ming dynasties.

Chengdu became an economic and cultural center in western China during the Sui and Tang dynasties. The temple's discovery could greatly contribute to the study of the spread of Buddhism in China during that time, said Wang Yi, director of the Chengdu Cultural Relic Research Institute.