More than 150 domestic and overseas archaeologists gathered at Anyang city in central China's Henan Province Wednesday for an exchange of views on Yin Ruins research and prepare for submitting the ruins to UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site.

At the four-day seminar on Yin and Shang civilization research opening Wednesday, experts will present their latest research findings on the Yin Ruins and promote Yin culture, according to Wang Yuxin, chairman of the China Yin and Shang Culture Association.

Since 1899, the Yin Ruins, located in Anyang city, have provided the world with more than 150,000 oracle shells (or tortoise shells) items. Recording harvests, astronomical phenomena, worship and wars of the ancient Shang Dynasty (1600-1100 B.C., also called the Yin Dynasty), the inscriptions on tortoise shells and animal bones from the Yin ruins are scattered throughout the world.

With an area of 30 sq kms, the Yin Ruins topped the 100 greatest archaeological discoveries of China in the past century.
 
(Xinhua News Agency July 29, 2004)