The altar is the earliest sacrificial site so far found in China, said He Gang, a researcher with the Hunan Institute of Archaeology.

"Ancients prayed to the gods of nature, such as the gods of the earth, river and heaven," said He at a archaeological forum held by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences recently in Beijing.

Archaeologists have found China's oldest white pottery specimens among the altar relics. The pottery is decorated with phoenix and beast patterns.

"The discovery of the altar is of great importance to research into the origin of religion and ancient civilization," said He.

Located in Anbian Town, Hongjiang City of Hunan Province, the site covers an area of 1,000 square meters. Bones of dozens of animals including deer, pigs, cattle, bears, elephants and rhinoceros have been excavated from the 39 sacrificial pits at thesite.

Examination of the teeth of pigs dug up at the site indicated that they had been domesticated, He said, adding that this shows that animal husbandry had emerged at that time. Enditem