Palace Museum discovers architectural remains of Yuan Dynasty imperial palace in 2015

A first for the Palace Museum: Unearthing traces of an earlier dynasty beneath its foundations

In 2015, archaeologists from the Palace Museum made a breakthrough discovery to the west of the Gate of Thriving Imperial Clan (Longzong Men) – uncovering Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) cultural layers and the remains of palace buildings. These findings offered vital clues to the exact location of the Yuan imperial palace, a mystery that had long puzzled researchers.

Following the principle of minimal intervention, the excavation was carried out only in conjunction with essential infrastructure maintenance projects – using the smallest digging area to collect the most detailed archaeological data. A careful balance between preserving the cultural heritage and unveiling the past.