Chinese villagers start massive treasure hunt as a 1,800-year-old canal is drained for cleaning

  • Villagers have found treasures including ceramic relics and bronze coins
  • Grand Canal is the longest in the world with parts dating to fifth century
  • Increasing numbers of people have flocked to the site to try their luck 

By SOPHIE WILLIAMS FOR MAILONLINE

Published: | Updated:

Villagers in China yesterday dug for treasures on a section of the Grand Canal in Hua County, Henan province, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The section had recently been drained for cleaning when locals decided to see if they could find any valuable goods, the People's Daily Online reports. 

The canal is the longest of its kind in the world measuring some 1,240 miles long with its oldest parts dating back to the fifth century BC.

 Looking for treasure: The section of the canal in Henan province had been drained out for cleaning

 Looking for treasure: The section of the canal in Henan province had been drained out for cleaning

A grand search: A local resident searches for ancient relics at the site in Hua County, Henan province

A grand search: A local resident searches for ancient relics at the site in Hua County, Henan province

One for the collection! Relics found at the site include dragon kylins, ancient coins and ceramic relics

One for the collection! Relics found at the site include dragon kylins, ancient coins and ceramic relics

The section that was drained was the Weihu river which is five miles long and 108 to 180 feet wide.

It has been used as a navigation channel for over 1,800 years and is one of the best preserved part of the canal. 

The Grand Canal is also known as the Beijing - Hangzhou Canal. The lengthy waterway connects two of China's ancient capitals.

After news spread that relics had been dug out from the area, local villagers flocked to the site to try their luck at getting their own valuable treasure. 

According to Chinese media, residents have discovered gold ingots, ancient bronze coins and ceramic relics.  

Looting especially on ancient tombs is a frequent occurrence in China.

In January, two men died after being buried alive while attempting to loot a tomb in Shaanxi province. 

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CHINA'S GRAND CANAL

China's Grand Canal was built from the 5th century BC onwards during the Han Dynasty. 

By the 13th century, the canal consisted of more than 1,240 miles of artificial waterways linking five of China's main river basins.

The aim of the canal was to transport grain and raw materials along with supplying rice to feed the growing population. 

The canal runs from Beijing in the north of the country to Hangzhou in southeast China's Zhejiang province. 

The building project was the world's largest and most extensive civil engineering project prior to the Industrial Revolution in the UK. 

Even today, the Grand Canal is a major means of internal communication and has helped ensure China's economic prosperity.  

The canal became a UNESCO site in 2014.  

Source: UNESCO 

1,100 miles long: China's Grand Canal was built from the 5th century BC onwards during the Han Dynasty

1,100 miles long: China's Grand Canal was built from the 5th century BC onwards during the Han Dynasty

Eyes on the prize! People who visited the site came away with ancient ceramics and bronze coins 

Eyes on the prize! People who visited the site came away with ancient ceramics and bronze coins 

After the news spread, local villagers rushed to the site to try their luck at getting their own valuable treasure

After the news spread, local villagers rushed to the site to try their luck at getting their own valuable treasure

Historic area: The river has been in use as a navigation channel for over 1,800 years and is well preserved

Historic area: The river has been in use as a navigation channel for over 1,800 years and is well preserved

Dig! Local Chinese residents dig for treasures in the Weihe River, part of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal

Dig! Local Chinese residents dig for treasures in the Weihe River, part of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal

The canal is the longest of its kind in the world with its oldest parts dating back to 5th century BC 

The canal is the longest of its kind in the world with its oldest parts dating back to 5th century BC 

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