Archaeologists discover 13-km Qin Dynasty road ruins in NW China

XI'AN, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Archaeologists have identified a roughly 13-kilometer section of the ruins of Qinzhidao, a military road built in the Qin Dynasty (221 BC-207 BC), in northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

The discovery was made during an archaeological survey launched in 2024 by the cultural relics protection research institute in the city of Yulin to document the distribution and current condition of the ancient road ruins in the region.

Historical records indicate that Qinzhidao was a strategically important military road built under the orders of Qinshihuang, the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty, who unified China for the first time. The massive construction project played a significant role in the unification and development of ancient China.

The newly identified section of the road runs through the city's Hengshan District. Although the remains are poorly preserved, the road still follows a remarkably straight alignment.

Archaeologists have confirmed nine consecutive mountain notches cut in a straight line, a section of rammed-earth slope, and multiple traces of trampled road surfaces and rammed-earth foundations along the road.

Additionally, a small settlement site dating to the Qin and Han dynasties (221 BC-220 AD) was found adjacent to the ancient road. It is believed to have served as a courier station or maintenance facility, and several pieces of typical pottery and tile from that period were unearthed there.

The latest findings provide new evidence for mapping the complete route of Qinzhidao, according to the institute. ■