A wooden vehicle unearthed from an ancient sacrificial site in Fengxiang, Shaanxi province. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Ancient State-level sacrificial site discovered

Archaeologists recently found a State-level venue used by ancient emperors to partake in sacrificial offerings.

Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology said that the finding had great academic value for in-depth research on social institutions and politics of the Qin (221-206 BC) and Western Han (206 BC-AD 24) dynasties, as well as ancient Chinese ritual culture.

The ancient sacrificial site, named Yongshan Blood Pool, is located in Fengxiang, about 15 kilometers southeast of the Yongcheng ruins, which is believed to have been the capital of the state of Qin (770-221 BC).

At the sites, archaeologists found 2,109 relics, mainly jade articles, and bronze chariots and horses, which were often used for sacrificial offerings in ancient times.