Local archeologists have discovered a courtyard building believed to have been built in the time of the legendary Chinese emperor Huangdi, or about 5,500 years ago, according to the provincial cultural relics bureau of Henan Province, central China.

Henan is located in the ancient Zhongyuan or Central Plain area, and is home to a large number of ancient relics.

The new discovery, the oldest building of its kind ever found in the country, is located in Lingbao, a county-level city in the western part of the province.

It has a floor space of 204 square meters, and covers a total area of 516 square meters. Eight holes for pillars are located in the courtyard and at the site of the gate.

The building was probably not the dwelling place of an ordinary family, because it looks like a palace or temple, the experts said.

Traces of vermilion have been found in large quantities, which indicates that the walls of the building were painted red.

There are also three water ducts in the building, the experts said.

(China Daily February 19, 2002)