Discoveries offer fresh look at Silk Road history

Gold earrring [Photo provided to China Daily]

"We even once considered that there was no top-level discovery in these relatively recent dynasties. However, as our research expands to more areas, this has proved to be wrong. Relatively new relics can be equally significant for their closer relations to today's customs and cultures in those areas," Wang says.

The Dazhuangke mining and metallurgy relics of the Liao Dynasty (916-1125) in Beijing's Yanqing county, provided important leads to the development of Chinese handicraft industry.

Interestingly, since 1991 and until this year, the Chinese capital hadn't been able to place any of its discoveries on the top list.

A highly expected candidate from the Palace Museum－the discovery of constructional foundation of Ming imperial palaces－failed to make it to the Top 10.

"The project is still at an early stage. It's worthwhile to expect more discoveries and solid proofs," Wang says of the Beijing site.