Archaeologists discovered remains of the lost Fugan Temple that existed in area of modern Chengdu, South-west China, between the times of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420 AD) to the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279 AD).

The building is said to have disappeared during the period of wars in times of the Tang and Song Dynasties. The temple was known for a miracle of sending down rain after prayers during a heavy draught, as mentioned in the writings of a Tang Dynasty monk named Daoxuan.

After excavating only a part of the area archaeologists have discovered more than 1000 tablets inscribed with Buddhist scriptures and over 500 pieces of stone sculpture as well as glazed tiles with inscriptions. Researchers believe to have unearthed the temple’s foundations, ruins of surrounding buildings, wells, roads and ditches.

The researchers have also discovered around 80 ancient tombs scattered near the temple, dating back to Shang and Zhou Dynasties (1600-256 BC). In the temple’s surroundings, they have unearthed large amounts of household tools and utensils and building materials dating back to various periods from the Song to Ming Dynasties.

(after Xinhua, Western China Metropolis Daily, China Internet Information Center & The Straits Times)