This photo shows the archaeological excavation site in the Anning river valley area of Liangshan Yi autonomous prefecture in Southwest China's Sichuan province on Oct 11, 2017. [Photo/VCG]

Large scale ruins of semi-subterranean dwellings have been discovered in the Anning river valley area of Liangshan Yi autonomous prefecture in Southwest China's Sichuan province.

Beginning in August of 2016, the archeological excavation in the Liangshan area has excavated nearly 2,000 dwellings, burial sites, pits and kiln sites, covering an area of 20,000 kilometers.

Among them, 322 ruins of residential houses were recognized as semi-subterranean dwellings.

Archeologists from the Sichuan Provincial Cultural Relics and Archeology Research Institute said it's the first time these sorts of dwellings were found in Sichuan province, which were normally seen in northern China.

In addition, nearly 6,000 pieces or sets of porcelain, stoneware and metal specimens have also been unearthed.

The origin of the ruins can be traced back from the late Neolithic era to the Warring States Period (475-221 BC).

The archeological finds could provide valuable materials in the study of local culture and cultural exchanges in the Anning river area during the pre-Qin Dynasty period, according to archeologists.