An ancient irrigation site was recently discovered in the Nanhu (south lake) area in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, after having been buried underground for thousands of years. Archeologists had unearthed some wooden logs, wooden tools, porcelain, and stone artifacts on the site.

In 1989, archeologists excavated hundreds of artifacts made during the Majiabang Culture and Liangzhu Culture Periods. The Majiabang Culture period dated back some 7,000 -- 6,000 years ago and the Liangzhu Culture period dated back some 5,300 -- 4,000 from now.

When archeologists were doing some excavation work in the Nanhu Lake area this year, they discovered an ancient river channel that measured 3 meters deep and ran in the direction of east to west. More than one hundred wood piles were found in a row on the riverside, extending 40 meters in length and measuring 10-15 centimeters in diameter. Archeologists hypothesized that the site might be the location of an irrigation project and the wooden logs might be used as a fence to keep away rubbish on the river.

The discovery indicates that this was a residential quarter in ancient times and there might be some ruins of villages nearby. Archeologists say that such ancient irrigation project was rarely seen in China before and it thus was very significant for the study of prehistoric culture.

When taking the sand from the river, archeologists excavated large numbers of artifact pieces. About one hundred of the artifacts are found intact or can be repaired. Most of these are tools or daily necessities, made during the Liangzhu Culture period or even earlier.

Experts also found some plant and animal remains. There are ox head skulls and dog head bones, indicating that people raised these animals at that time. They also found a couple of glossy ganoderma and a half-eaten persimmon, all discovered for the first time. The fruits and animals show that four thousand years ago, our ancestors had plenty to eat. They provide valuable reference for scientists to study ancient people's lifestyle and the environment they lived in.
 
(CRI.com November 2, 2006)