Discovery of prehistoric underpass north of China

CAIRO – 7 February 2022: The Research Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology of North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has announced the discovery of the ruins of a prehistoric underpass in the region.

The Lower Passage is located at the site of an ancient stone city in present-day Qingxuehe County in Inner Mongolia, the Chinese news agency reported Monday.

Some 20 relics were discovered with the lower passage, including city gates, walls, foundations of buildings, tombs, jade pieces, pottery, and bone tools.

The site of the ancient stone city, which covers an area of about 1.38 million square meters, belongs to the Longshan culture that dates back to the late Neolithic period in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River.

The long and narrow passage is located 5 to 6 meters underground. It is 1 to 3 meters wide and 2 meters high. The passage connects the old city inside and out.

Traces of tool processing were found during excavation, as their trampled surface was partially damaged by fire, which showed bright red colors.

The researchers said the finds are of important value for prehistoric cultural studies and the origins of civilization in the northern regions of China.