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Chaozhou Bijiashan Kiln

The Bijiashan kilns in Chaozhou originated in the Tang Dynasty and flourished during the Song Dynasty. During the Northern Song Dynasty, due to invasions and harassment by the Liao and Jin dynasties, kiln production in the north stagnated. The relatively stable south attracted a large number of kiln workers from the north, who brought advanced ceramic techniques with them.

With the advancement of porcelain-making techniques and the rapid development of navigation technology, maritime trade flourished during the Northern Song Dynasty. Numerous historical records attest to Chaoshan's status as a crucial hub along the ancient "Maritime Silk Road." Previous archaeological research indicates that the Bijiashan kilns of the Northern Song Dynasty produced tens of thousands of pieces of pottery, primarily household porcelain, and exported large quantities to Southeast Asian countries during the Northern Song. Porcelain produced at the Bijiashan kilns during the Song Dynasty has been unearthed in Malaysia, Brunei, Pakistan, and other locations. The Bijiashan kiln ceramics recovered from the Alligator Island shipwreck complement a crucial link along the "Maritime Silk Road" linking Chaozhou with Southeast Asian countries.

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A four-handled melon-shaped jar from the Bijiashan kiln in Chaozhou during the Song Dynasty

©2025 by Maritime Arts and Culture Association

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