In just one example, in eastern Anhui Province, archaeologists at an ancient tomb site have dug up what is considered China's first carved jade pig. The 88-kilogram pig dates to neolithic times and was found with hundreds of other jade objects.
In another spectacular excavation, archaeologists in 2007 discovered more than 10,000 pieces of porcelain and other relics on an ancient ship that sank in the South China Sea more than 700 years ago.