Beijing: Chinese researchers have discovered foundations of over 600-year-old buildings that would help them in understanding the previous dynasties' history and layout of the Forbidden City.
Underneath the former royal palace used by the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911) are foundation remains that could be from as early as the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), said Li Ji, a senior researcher with the Institute of the Palace Museum.
The palace complex on China's Forbidden City, located at heart of Beijing, was home to Chinese emperors and was the highest centre of power from 1420 to 1911.
Li said the new findings would help understanding of the palace's history and of the layout of ancient Beijing, state- run Xinhua news agency reported.
The archaeologists also discovered foundations of a previously-unknown construction from the early Ming Dynasty and shards of imperial porcelain believed to have been intentionally buried at the site.
