The relic of Ming palace found recently in Forbidden City. (Photo/cyol.com)

Beijing's Palace Museum, or Forbidden City, made public a new archaeological discovery on June 11. A large relic from the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) has been found inside the Forbidden City.

The discovery was made last month. The Archaeological Institute of the Palace Museum found a large piece of the base of an early Ming Dynasty palace near the square in front of the Hall of Benevolent Peace. The discovery includes the pile cap, the rammed earth and bricks layer, the foundation trench and other components. This is the first time that such a large sample of a Ming Dynasty palace has been found inside the Forbidden City. 

After a field survey, archaeologists believe that the yellow sand layer and raw soil layer at the bottom of the foundation trench date back to between 5,000 and 30,000 years ago, and that they are the natural remains of the ancient Gaoliang River. The new discovery is significant to research on the changes of urban Beijing, the history of the Forbidden City and ancient Chinese construction technology. 

Shan Jixiang, director of the Palace Museum, said that the relic will be carefully preserved and made available for public viewing in the future.