Ash pits and ruins of houses and tombs dating from 7,000 to 600 years ago were dug up by Chinese archaeologists in an area covering over 2,500 sq meters of Shaanxi's Baoji County.

More than 100 pottery utensils unearthed were complete or restorable, according to the archaeologists.

Most of the Neolithic pottery, including bowls, cups, pots and vases, are made of red and brown earth, and a few are dark or gray. Archaeologists said they are in delicate condition and covered with pretty designs.

Among the bone utensils discovered, a knife attracted the most attention from the archaeologists. With graphics on its hilt and blade, it is believed to have a cutting edge made of stone.

Experts said the find proves that ancient residents here learned how to made complicated tools out of bone and stone as long as 7,000 years ago, during the Neolithic Age.

The unearthed relics display a broader picture of the Neolithic culture along the upper reaches of the Yellow River, believed to be one of the cradles of Chinese civilization, archaeologists noted.

( People's Daily October 15, 2002)