Yue Harbour — North Breakwater Ancillary (Yangtze, China)
Yue Breakwater N
Bronze Age to Classical (2000 BCE–500 CE)·Bronze–Iron Age maritime·🇨🇳 Zhejiang, Hangzhou Bay, Yue Harbour, China
About
About Yue Harbour — North Breakwater Ancillary (Yangtze, China)
Yue Harbour — North Breakwater Ancillary (Yangtze, China) in Zhejiang, Hangzhou Bay, Yue Harbour, China is a Bronze Age to Classical (2000 BCE–500 CE) submerged city attributed to Bronze–Iron Age maritime. Systematic survey and magnetometry document architectural phasing. The site includes a principal necropolis and ancillary settlement. Dimensions grid 210 m × 180 m; mole 85 m long × 7 m wide; area 24.5 ha. Excavation ongoing; condition submerged 3–6 m. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans available.
Why it mattersKey Bronze–Iron Age maritime submerged-city with stratified sequence and landscape setting at -6 m elevation.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing
- 02Function and labor organization
Theories
- 01Ritual landscape model
- 02Ceremonial centre
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 1500 BCE
- Period
- Bronze Age to Classical (2000 BCE–500 CE)
- Culture
- Bronze–Iron Age maritime
- Purpose
- Submerged harbour and urban insulae under sea
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c. 1500 BCE
Initial construction / foundation
c. 1001 BCE
Major refurbishment / second phase
1885
Modern rediscovery and excavation
On the ground
Structures & features
30.2000° N · 121.5000° E · -6 m · 4 mapped features
- North Quay MolemoleNorth Quay Mole at Yue Harbour — North Breakwater Ancillary (Yangtze, China) — mole with stratified deposits30.2004° N · 121.5001° E
- Street Grid InsulainsulaStreet Grid Insula at Yue Harbour — North Breakwater Ancillary (Yangtze, China) — insula with stratified deposits30.2022° N · 121.5016° E
- Harbour BasinbasinHarbour Basin at Yue Harbour — North Breakwater Ancillary (Yangtze, China) — basin with stratified deposits30.2006° N · 121.5014° E
- Warehouse TerracewarehouseWarehouse Terrace at Yue Harbour — North Breakwater Ancillary (Yangtze, China) — warehouse with stratified deposits30.2008° N · 121.4976° E
Gallery