Chinese and Japanese archeologists have completed a four-year excavation at Taiyechi Lake in Daminggong Palace in Xi'an, the ancient capital of the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907 AD) in northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

The Chinese and Japanese archeologists will spend the following year studying the excavation results, said He Suili, an expert with the Institute of Archeology of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and a paper will be finished to map out the structure of the garden.

Experts have excavated about 20,000 square meters of area, and found a lot relics of waterside pavilions, halls, corridors and many other artificial garden facilities, He said.

The excavation also yielded many construction materials including bricks and tiles, stone statues, pottery and bronze and iron objects.

The garden, located at the middle area of the emperor's living area, served exclusively for the royal members and showcased the top-level garden architecture in the Tang Dynasty, one of China's most prosperous periods.

Taiyechi, or Pond of Heavenly Dew, was an important link in Chinese ancient royal garden architecture, and also influenced the royal garden construction in Japan and Korean peninsula at that time, He said.

(Xinhua News Agency June 13, 2005)