Archaeologists uncovered a new portion of the Daming Palace in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province on Friday.

Going by historical records, they believe the building was part of an ancient entrance hall used by chancellors to rest and wait before going in to court to see the emperor.

The Daming Palace, which is open to tourists but is also still under excavation - dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

It covers 12 square kilometers.

After three wars in 883, 885 and 896 it fell in to disrepair. It was discovered by archaelogists in 1957.

(Xinhua News Agency February 16, 2009)