Archaeologists have unearthed the remains of a neolithic village covering an area of 20,000 square meters in east China's Anhui Province.

Archaeologists have found a large number of clay urns, bowls and other utensils, together with some stone axes and implements during an excavation in Nangang Township in the western suburbs ofthe provincial capital Hefei.

The findings are invaluable for the study of the independent cultural system of Huaihe River valley, which is different from those of the Yellow River and the Yangtze River valleys that have been regarded as the cradles of Chinese civilization, said Xi Weiqun, an expert who took part in the excavation.

Xi believes the ancient village, 180 meters by 120 meters, could date back some 4,000 years.

The site was unearthed during the exploration of an expressway linking Hefei, Huainan and Fuyang in Anhui Province.

(Xinhua News Agency April 28, 2006)