The relics, recovered from the lake during the dry season, include broken pieces of tube-shaped tiles and earthen jars covering an area of nearly 16,000 square meters.

According to local records, during the Three Kingdoms (220 AD-280 AD) period, the ancient city of Chaozhou, sank without warning one day. Chao Lake, China's fifth largest freshwater lake, came into being at a later date, covering the ancient city.

Experts from the local culture relics administrative office said the broken tiles and jars, which reflect the typical style of household items of the Han Dynasty (206 BC- 220 AD), lend strong support to the theory that the relics are part of ancient Chaozhou.

Local fishermen report frequent discoveries of relics, and the cultural relics administrative office has collected more than 300 relics from local people, including gold and silver vessels, jade articles and diamonds.

The relics are currently under the protection of the local government pending further excavation.

(Xinhua News Agency January 10, 2003)