Chinese archaeologists have found three 2,000-year-old earthen cauldrons and some food steamers in north China's Hebei province.

The ancient cooking utensils were unearthed in kilns in Duting village, Tangxian County, 120 kilometers from Beijing. The kilns were made during the Western Han Dynasty period (206 B.C.- 24 A.D.).

The diameter of the largest, best-preserved cauldron is 61.5 centimeters, said Meng Fanfeng, director of the excavation team and researcher with the Hebei Archaeological Research Institute.

"There are clear traces of fire on the largest cauldron," Meng said. "The bottom of the cauldron is blackened inside and out, while the original color of the pottery clay can be seen on the top edge."

The expert said there was little doubt that all of the utensils had been used for cooking.

Meng pointed out that the ancient utensils were not very different from what is used today. "To cook wheaten food and pastry, Chinese people still use cooking utensils that have the same shape as those of 2,000 years ago."

The ancient utensils will provide valuable clues for archaeological research into people's cooking habits and living conditions in the area 2,000 years ago, he said.

The utensils were discovered at a construction site underneath a major water project that diverts water from the Yangtze River in the south to thirsty regions in the north.

(Xinhua News Agency December 23, 2006)