"A large number of these vessels were painted in red and some decorated with white patterns. The sun is one common motif, and reflects people's consciousness and beliefs at the time," Chen says.

Archaeologists found husks, leaves and other rice residue being mixed with clay to make pots, jars, plates and bowls, Chen adds, and the analysis of remnants found in some of these vessels shows that they were used to store wine or fermented beverages, which suggests that these pottery items could be the earliest wine vessels in existence.