Shang Dynasty ruins uncovered

An aerial photo of the excavation.Photo provided to China Daily

The main building is believed to have its gate opened on its east wall, as the ruins on its east wall show a 1.8-meter wide channel, which is believed to be the doorway. Inside the doorway is a stone slate, which remains intact and experts believe is the decoration doorway stone.

The two-level corridors were circular around the main building, but its west section was destroyed by unknown cause. They run parallel, apart from each other 10 meters horizontally and 4 meters vertically.

"We found some postholes between the two corridors, which mean there might be some buildings between the corridors," Zhong says.

Archaeologists also unearthed more than 5,000 pieces of pottery fragments from the building ruins, and repaired and fixed 20 pottery containers.

Though the relics features a construction and ornamental style consistent with those built in the late period of the Shang Dynasty, Zhong says, "It's unique in its structure and scale."

The archaeologist stipulates that the ruins must have served as a ritual place, rather than residence of the common folks, which they hope to prove with further excavations of surrounding ruins.