'Giant' human remains found in ancient Chinese graveyard

Archeologists in China have found the remains of 'giant' humans who lived 5000 years ago, and they estimate that some of the humans were close to two metres tall.

The bones were found in East China in the Shandong province, as researchers excavate the ruins of houses, graves, and sacrificial pits from a late Neolithic civilisation.

Shandong University archaeologist Fang Hui said the measurements of the remains indicate that a few of the humans were 1.8 metre or taller, with one man measuring close to two meters.

"This is just based on the bone structure. If he was a living person, his height would certainly exceed 1.9 metres," Mr Hui told the China Daily.

The philosopher Confucius (551-479 BC) is a native of the Shandong region and is said to have been around 1.9 metres tall.

The Shandong remains were found in a village named Jiaoiji in the capital city of Jinan. Pig bones and teeth were found among the graves, and researchers believe millet and pig were dietary staples for the inhabitants.

"Already agricultural at that time, people had diverse and rich food resources and thus their physique changed," Mr Fang said.

People are believed to have lived comfortable lives, with the remains of dwellings showing that people had separate bedrooms and kitchens. There were also colourful pottery and jade articles found amongst the ruins.

So far only a fraction of the site at Jiaoijia has been excavated. The site measures 1 square kilometre and only 2000 square metres has been explored by the archaeologists.