Beijing, May 28: The Chinese civilisation, considered to be the oldest in the world dating back from antiquity to contemporary times, was born 5,800 years ago and matured 3,800 years ago, Chinese scholars announced on Monday after 15 years of state-funded work.

The findings were announced at a State Council press conference in which the Deputy Director of State Administration for Cultural Heritage, Guan Qiang, explained that the first signs of civilisation emerged in areas around the Yellow, Yangtze and Western Liao rivers, Efe news reported.

Other parts of China developed equally advanced cultures 5,300 years ago, and some 3,800 years ago, a more mature civilisation emerged in the central plains and began to culturally influence surrounding regions, explained the expert.

The findings are the result of a programme, which began in 2001 and ended in 2016, launched by the Ministry of Science and Technology.

The research was led by experts from the Institute of Archaeology of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Peking University with leading archaeologists.

So far, it had been widely considered that the Chinese civilisation had more than 5,000 years of history although there were various theories regarding its origin.

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Mandya (Karnataka) (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday appealed to people to take nine collective pledges, ranging from water conservation, natural farming, to fitness and service, to realise a "developed Karnataka and a developed India".

Listing his priorities, Modi said his first request is about water conservation and better water management, followed by appeals for tree plantation under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ (One tree in the name of mother) campaign, cleanliness in public and religious places, strengthening local products through “Vocal for Local,” promoting domestic tourism, adopting chemical-free natural farming, encouraging healthy eating with millets and reduced oil consumption.

Modi also urged people to embrace yoga and fitness, and to nurture service.

“If we move forward with honesty and determination on these nine resolutions, we can rapidly progress towards a developed Karnataka and a developed India,” he said while addressing an event organised to inaugurate Sri Guru Bhairavaikya Mandira at the Adichunchanagiri Mahasamsthana Math in Mandya.

The Mandira is a memorial dedicated to the revered seer, Sri Balagangadharanatha Mahaswami, the 71st Pontiff of the Math, revered by the dominant Vokkaliga community.

Modi also released a book titled 'Saundarya Lahari and Shiva Mahimna Stotram' along with former Prime Minister and JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda.

Ahead of the inauguration of 'Mandira', the Prime Minister visited Jwala Peeta -- where, according to a legend, Lord Shiva resided for penance -- and also Sri Kalabhairaveshwara Swamy temple and offered prayer there.

Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, current pontiff of Adichunchanagiri Mahasamsthana Math, Nirmalanandanatha Mahaswami, Union Ministers H D Kumaraswamy and Shobha Karandlaje were among those present.