Chinese archaeologists have found what they termed as the largest and best preserved prehistoric architectural remnants in Anhui Province, east China.
Excavation by archaeologists from the Archaeological Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences recently found 15 rooms of well-preserved pottery houses at the remnant sites at Biji Village, Mengcheng County.
Together with the 41 rooms found earlier, archaeologists said, they form a well-planned primitive village dating back to the late stage of the Neolithic period about 5,000 years ago.
The archaeologists also found a large cache of water vessels, which they believe were used for brewing wine and drinking.
If this is true, the archaeologists say agricultural production then must have attained quite a high level.
Among the new discoveries are 12 sites of urn coffins for children and a large amount of pottery, animal bones and hunting tools.
The authorities are considering building a museum at the site.
(Xinhua News Agency 07/21/2001)
