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Ancient tunnel network found in Shandong
By Ju Chuanjiang and Zhao Ruixue
Updated: 2009-04-15 15:33

An ancient wide-spread tunnel network has been discovered in Sanjianxi village, Zhangqiu city in China's east Shandong province.

The tunnels are being preliminarily judged as those dug in the early Ming Dynasty.

A hole formed by heavy rain unearthed the ancient underground network which stretches in all directions, connecting every part of the village. In fact, small entrances to the tunnels were found in many villagers' home.

"The tunnel net was designed in three tiers. [The] channels are sinuous, densely covered with forks and equipped with millstones, hearths, kangs (beds constructed from bricks or stones) and wells. The total length of these tunnels are estimated at five kilometers," Gao Shuzhen, the secretary of the village's Party branch said.

"A villager found a piece of broken porcelain when he walked into the tunnel through an entrance in his house. The porcelain is said to date back to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912)," Gao told journalists.

It is initially thought that the village was built in the early Ming Dynasty by villagers moving from Zaoqiang County in neighboring Hebei province.

"My family genealogy showed my forefathers moved here in 1371. They dug tunnels and spent time there to avoid plagues," Ma Shouzhen, a 67-year old man said.

"The long ancient tunnels really thrill us. It is valuable," Ning Yintang, the curator of the city's museum, said after he examined the underground network.

"Our village will take the discovery as an opportunity to develop tourism. We will study the tunnel war relic in Hebei province," Gao said.

An entrance is being dug for tourists so others can have the opportunity to see the amazing historical discovery. Gao said the ancient tunnels will be well protected in their original style.