4,000-year-old Observatory Well Preserved

An observatory built more than 4,000 years ago is still well preserved.

The observatory is located 1.5 km southwest of Shangqiu City incentral China's Henan Province. Experts believe that it is the oldest observatory in the world.

It is about 29 m high, and was probably first used to observe the stars so as to give instructions for farming activities," said Shang Qixing, a local historian.

According to historical records, the observatory was built more than 4,000 years ago. "It is one of the earliest relics of human civilization in the world, and it has survived numerous natural and social disasters," Shang said.

Although the ruin has lost its function as an observatory, it still attracts many local people, who believe that it will bring them good luck, Shang said.





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