Chinese archaeologists recently unearthed bathrooms, fireplaces, stoves and other facilities in the ancient city of Yueyang in Xi'an, capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi province.

Experts believed these could be the imperial harem living area in the capital of the Qin state during the Warring States Period (475-221 BC), more than 2,000 years ago.

They said the discovery has important academic value, revealing the architectural layout and social developments of the time.

Yueyang is located in Xinxing and Wutun sub-districts, in Yanliang district in Xi'an. It was built in 383 BC during the Qin state.

Later, during the Qin state and the beginning of the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 24), it served as the capital.

The ruins of Yueyang ancient city in Xi'an, in Shaanxi province. [Photo/xiancn.com]

Beginning in 1980, archaeologists have carried out exploration and excavations of Yueyang ancient city.

According to Liu Rui, a researcher of the Institute of Archaeology at Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, since 2018, archaeologists have carried out large-scale excavations on the north side of the ancient city.

A large number of semicircle-shaped tiles, plate tiles and eaves tiles were unearthed and the remains of bathrooms, fireplaces, large stoves and items believed to be toilet bowls were found.

In addition, archaeologists discovered two eaves tiles with the word gong (公) in the ruins, which are also the earliest eaves tiles with text discovered so far. The archaeologists also discovered Yueyang Palace pottery inscriptions.

The unearthed eaves tile with the word gong (公), unearthed in the ruins of Yueyang ancient city in Xi'an, in Shaanxi province. [Photo/xiancn.com]