In central China, archaeologists from the Cultural Heritage Institute of Henan Province discovered a complex water supply system about four thousand years old. This discovery indicates advanced urban planning during the Xia Dynasty. This unusual discovery was reported by Arkeonews.
The excavation work was carried out in Wangqingan County, Henan Province, an area considered one of the main centers of formation of early Chinese civilization. Scientists found two large artificial trenches, three meters wide and more than 120 meters long, heading from north to south. These ditches are connected to a wider canal up to 10 meters wide and form a single water supply and sewerage system.
In addition to the main structures, archaeologists also discovered a network of small canals ranging from 0.3 to 1 meter wide. It was assumed that it was connected to residential areas and outbuildings and provided for rainwater and sewage drainage.
The researchers note that the structure of the channels is very precise and uniform. That is, before construction, careful planning of the work may have occurred. Building such infrastructure requires significant resources and organized labor, suggesting centralized control.
According to experts, this discovery provides further evidence of the existence of the Xia Dynasty as a true state entity. Although the breed was considered a legend for a long time. The size and complexity of the system suggests that engineering knowledge and management structures already existed in the region at that time, the report says. material.
Archaeologists have previously discovered, near the Cemetery of Seneb, in the Qurna area on the western mainland of Luxor, eight intact papyri, estimated to be about 3,000 years old.