On entering the broad courtyard office is an east-west slate road that connects two stone pools. It is said that originally there were two uncovered skylights surrounding them, although archeologists insist the two pools are from the Song Dynasty. This argument is based on the fact that floods and mud-rock flow destroyed the archeological section during the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). There is also a square flowerbed and more than 60 copper coins were discovered there. Archeologists argue that the copper coins were found near a tree in ancient times, which is why ancient people believed it to be a legendary money tree.

The main building, which is 38 meters long and 15 meters wide, comes into view over some steps. Judging from the thickness of its stone columns -- 40cm each in diameter -- the scale of the entire building can be imagined. The building's foundation was made of special "red" loess that would have had to be imported, which highlights the building's importance.

To the east of the main building there was a 13.8-meter-long, 11.7-meter-wide building. According to archeologists, there was a rigid system of social stratification in place, and, judging from the site and its scale, it was most likely an official building. Intact drinking utensils, lamp stands, ink stones and seals unearthed at the site provide some evidence towards its usage. Archeologists say there are still many sites north of this building, none of which have yet been excavated.

 Badong Official Storehouses

West of the ancient county government office site archeologists found more than 10 round or square, partially submerged storehouses enclosed by walls. The round ones are 1.2-2.2 meters in diameter and the square ones, 3-4 meters long on each side. There are holes and ditches arranged in an orderly fashion in the ground and steps leading to the storehouses around the building. In the center of one storehouse is a pottery wheel 72cm in diameter and a well-protected flagon was also discovered. Archeologists argue that the vessel was used as an ice cellar for food and wine. In another storehouse building, archeologists found a round stove on a square brick platform, which, they say, was used to dry grain.

In this group of storehouses, the most important discovery were two identical polished pottery bowls, originally used for measuring grain. The bowls -- 13.4cm high and 20.4cm in diameter -- are in fact thin, smooth and very light.

Judging from the scale of the buildings, archeologist Deng Hui believes that they were official storehouses.

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