According to Li, archaeologists have excavated a few Yue sites, particularly tombs, but all the earlier sites were located outside Shaoxing ancient city, which is part of the modern Shaoxing, and only the new site is located within the confines of the ancient city.

According to historical literature, King Goujian assumed the Yue throne in 496 BC, and three years later, the state was invaded and defeated by a neighboring power, the Wu, who took Goujian captive and held him until 490 BC.

Following his release, Goujian built a new capital in Shaoxing ancient city and is said to have lived a humble life. He slept on piles of firewood and hay, used his weapons as a pillow, and hung bitter gall in his home, licking it every day to remind himself of the bitterness and shame of being captured. Through much resolve and immense effort, he finally built up Yue strength and defeated Wu 17 years later.

"Carbon dating shows that the site dates to 2,500 years ago, and stands as testimony to the recorded history of King Goujian establishing his capital in Shaoxing ancient city," says Li.

"As a result, it's a big discovery since it fills in a blank about why no Yue state relics had been found within Shaoxing ancient city, and offers clues to the study of the layout of the capital," he adds.

Artifacts from later dynasties have also been found at the site, including from the Six Dynasties (222-589), and the Sui (581-618), Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties.

One standout find is of part of a tablet written by Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) historian and poet Lu You, which was unearthed at the site last year, alongside a large number of building units and ceramics found more recently, which together indicate that the site may have been Shaoxing's guanxue, a type of government-sponsored educational institution for nurturing talent during the Song Dynasty.

"The Jizhong Site boasts a wealth of artifacts. The area is full of foundations of buildings that were in use for a long time," says Li.

"These buildings, spanning different eras, exhibit the features of high-level architecture, providing evidence of ancient Shaoxing's role as a political, economic and cultural hub in the southeastern region of China," he adds.

wangru1@chinadaily.com.cn