THE ruins of ancient China’s first government-run institution of higher learning, built in 374 B.C., were discovered in the Linzi District of Zibo City in East China’s Shandong Province, said the provincial institute of cultural relics and archaeology. Founded by the State of Qi during the Warring States Period (475-221 B.C.), the Jixia Academy was a state institution of higher learning with multiple roles such as a research institute, university and think tank, and had existed for more than 150 years.

The building complex was unearthed following a five-year excavation, and historical records confirmed it to be the Jixia Academy.

Four rows of building foundations were found at the site, measuring about 210 meters from east to west at its widest and 190 meters from north to south, with a total area of nearly 40,000 square meters. The site is adjacent to the ancient capital city of Qi, and it appears as a right-angled trapezoid when observed from above, according to archaeologists.

“Establishing the Jixia Academy was one of the major reforms of the state of Qi, which set the stage for a new trend of cultural and intellectual expansion at that time. The new discovery is of great significance for conducting further studies of Qi culture,” said Zheng Tongxiu, who is with the provincial archaeological society and is also the curator of the provincial museum.(Xinhua)