Key findings unearthed on Beijing's early days as capital

Key new archaeological findings in southwestern Beijing have unveiled the city's early days as the national capital, dating back some 900 years.

The first evidence of outer city wall ruins of Zhongdu (meaning "the central capital") of the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234) was unearthed during two years of archaeological research, the Beijing Municipal Administration of Cultural Heritage said on Wednesday.

Five sections of the earthen wall's ruins were discovered in Beijing's Fengtai district, said Ding Lina of the Beijing Archaeological Research Institute, who is also lead archaeologist in charge of the project. The wall was originally on the western and southern side of the Jin Dynasty capital.