Hechuan District, Diaoyu Fortress Scenic Area - Jiukou Pot Site

Jiukou Pot Site in Diaoyu Fortress Scenic Area: Basic Overview: The Jiukou Pot Site is located on the west side of Diaoyutai in the Diaoyu Fortress Scenic Area in Hechuan District, Chongqing, on the flat and open West Rock. The site covers an area of about 1,000 square meters and has nine large circular pits of varying sizes and depths. The largest pit is about 2 meters in diameter, while the smallest is about 1 meter in diameter, with a depth of about 20 centimeters. Historical Evolution: The site was originally a temple during the Tang Dynasty. During the Song-Mongol (Yuan) War in the late Southern Song Dynasty, it was converted into a military workshop. During the Jiaqing period of the Qing Dynasty, local residents used it as a stone mill for grain production. Historical Significance: Many experts and scholars believe that the Jiukou Pot is the earliest surviving military factory site in China and a typical example of the "leap forward period in the history of world weapons." It is a valuable cultural relic for studying ancient weapon-making techniques and showcasing the unique charm of the Diaoyu Fortress site. During the Song-Mongol (Yuan) War, the defenders of Diaoyu Fortress, Wang Jian and Zhang Jue, produced gunpowder, cast iron mines, and forged weapons here, effectively enhancing the overall defense capability of Diaoyu Fortress.