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Chinese archaeologists locate ancient city famed for political reform

Xinhua, January 18, 2016 Adjust font size:

Chinese archaeologists have located the remains of an ancient city in which a famed political reform took place about 2300 years ago.

The remains of Yueyang City, capital of the Qin state during the Warring States Period (476-221 BC), is confirmed to be in the northeastern district of Yanliang in China's Xi'an city, said Liu Rui, a researcher with the Institute of Archeology of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Qin statesman Shang Yang, who lived between 390-338 BC, initiated a series of reforms in Yueyang that led to the foundation of China's legal system. His reforms are believed to have made Qin the strongest state during the tumultuous period, paving the way for Emperor Qinshihuang to build the Qin Dynasty and unite China in 221 BC.

Liu said the exact premises of the city has been made clear. "We found a wide circle of rammed earth, with one side measuring 100 meters long. We believe it to be a city square of Yueyang," said Liu.

Remains of three large-scale buildings, with one measuring about 920 square meters, are believed to be the city palace, he said.

Ancient tiles and pottery shards have also been found, he added.

Yueyang served as the capital of the Qin state for 35 years. Endi