A stele, dating back to the Warring States Period (475-221 BC) , was unearthed in Xinzheng City in central China's Henan Province. With no clear details of its maker and the reason why it was made, experts suspect it is the oldest stele ever found in China.

It is 3.25 meters long, 0.45 meters wide and 0.25 meters thick, is pointed at the top and is made of grey gritstone.

It was discovered among the palace relics area at Zhenghan, an ancient city from the Warring States Period. As well as the stele, ancient tombs, bronze ware, a well, buildings, and roads were also discovered.

Many noted Chinese historians and archaeologists have studied the stele since it was found in 1997. Most have agreed that it is several hundred years older than the steles belonging to the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), which were previously believed to be the oldest in China.

According to the bronze wares and sacrifice items found the relic site and historical documents, experts presume that the stele was built for a well-known temple of the Han State during the Warring States Period.

( March 3, 2002)