Physical evidence found for 5,000 years of civilization

People in South China were the first to begin growing rice about 10,000 years ago and millet in North China about 8,000 years ago, and thus also benefited the rest of world.

"Through the project, we fill a void for a pivotal period in Chinese history," Zhao said. "And it's also a big contribution to the world because Chinese civilization is a crucial segment in human history."

Shen Jiliang, an official with the Ministry of Education in charge of textbooks, said the new academic achievements will be soon included in school syllabuses.

The 4,000-year-old Shimao Site, city ruins found in Shenmu, Shaanxi province, had never appeared in any ancient historical record before being unearthed in recent years. The relics show a strong military presence considered to have close connections with Taosi, and they are now treated as one important origin of Chinese civilization.

Shen said such new discoveries will be added to high school textbooks.

"History education concerns our nurturing of national pride and cultural confidence," he said.