Yang Hongxun, a researcher at the Archeological Institute of Chinese Academy of Sciences, rather doubts the cellar theory after having done some on the spot researches.

"I don't quite believe this conjecture. The function of cellars should be for the storage of goods, and convenience for transportation should be the first priority in building the grottoes. However, the Shiyanbei Village is actually built on a small hill with abundant trees and grass, which poses great difficulty for transporting goods into and out of the grottoes. What's more, the steep stairs, vertical caves and thick forests all largely reduce the possibility of cellars," analyzed Yang.

(Author: Jeff)

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