Although lots of cultural ruins have been unearthed and the city is abundant with academic force, Shanghai lacks systematic research on its history and traditional culture, which was dated back to about 5,000 years ago, Cai Dafeng, a local archaeologist, said.

The newly-discovered Guangfulin cultural ruins are big and valuable enough to compare with the well-known Songze and Maqiao heritage ruins, both in suburban Shanghai, according to a report in Wenhui Daily.

To become an international metropolis, Shanghai must retain its unique cultural features and it needs a specialized research body to promote its cultural atmosphere and academic level, said Zhang Minghua, associate professor with the Cultural Relics Preservation Committee of Shanghai.

Experts believe that Shanghai is also a birthplace of remote Chinese civilization along the Yangtze River, with treasured heritage sites of Songze, Fuquanshan, Maqiao and Guangfulin, the Shanghai-based newspaper said.

Cai, also a professor at Fudan University, said that Shanghai has strong economic strength and academic force for establishing such kind of institution.

(Xinhua)