An archeologist works in a tunnel, which is part of an ancient water system, in Xuyi county, East China's Jiangsu province, on Aug 22. [Photo/VCG]

A large number of cultural relics, thought to be more than 1,000 years old, have been discovered lately during a renovation of shanty houses in Xuyi county of Huai'an city, East China's Jiangsu province.

Xuyi has a splendid history and culture, and holds many ancient cultural sites in Jiangsu.

The archaeological findings include a total of 30 ruins of ancient architecture, an 8,000-meter-long ancient city wall from the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), and a stone embankment from the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.

The excavation also provides evidences to study the water system in the ancient Huaihe River basin area.

In the future, local authorities will build the place into a relic park.