Beijing, 14 September, (BelTA - People's Daily) - Archeologists in Xinjiang have found the earliest known iron-making site in Xinjiang, which dates back 3,000 years.
According to Wang Yongqiang, a researcher with the Xinjiang Institute of Archaeology, the institute discovered coal ashes, cinder, partially burnt coal and coal storage at the site of a human settlement dating back to before 1000 B.C. The site, located in Nilka County, has been under excavation since 2015. The finding indicates that inhabitants of the site were already using coal 3,000 years ago.
Ruan Qiurong, another researcher at the institute, said that iron nuggets were also discovered at the site. "This is the earliest iron-making site in Xinjiang. Before this, the earliest iron-making site dated back to 1000 B.C.," he explained.
The iron nuggets have been collected for further study.
