The National Administration of Cultural Heritage has released the news that a 4000-year old revetment embankment was discovered by Chengdu Museum recently at a real estate development project in Wenjiang District of Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan province. This is the earliest water conservancy facility yet found on Chengdu Plain.

The revetment embankment is a relics of the Baodun Culture III, dating back about 4000 years. The embankment measures 147 meters long, running in a northwest to southeast direction, with a trapezoidal cross-section. It is 12 meters wide at the top,14 meters wide at the bottom, and 1.3 meters high. It was built by the technique of ramming, which fits with the construction style of the city wall during the Baodu period.

Wang Yi, director of Chengdu Museum said: "The revetment embankment is 2000 years older than the water conservancy facilities of Dujiangyan from China's Warring States Period. Along with the dam relics of the Liangzhu Culture previously unearthed, this new discovery can be considered as the earliest known prehistoric water conservancy facilities in China. Both have their own characteristics and functions. The findings are sufficient to rewrite the history of Water Conservancy in China.

The article is edited and translated from 4000年前水利设施亮相 或将改写中国水利史, source: People's Daily Online, Author: Wang Hejin