Scientists believe they may have uncovered evidence of a two-million-year-old playground in China . Researchers found more than 700 stone artefacts in an area of less than six square metres in the Nihewan Basin , Hebei province . Experts working at the Heitugou site have suggested the items were toys made by early hominids between 1.77million and 1.95million years ago . Discovery : Scientists believe they may have uncovered evidence of a two-million-year-old playground in China ( file picture ) The leader of the project , paleoanthropologist Wei Qi , has described the discovery as ‘ amazing ’ . The South China Morning Post quotes the Chinese Academy of Sciences expert as saying : ‘ The site is a treasure chamber that may hold some useful clues to answer a lot of important questions , from the social structure of the early hominids to whether , when and how they arrived in Asia all the way from Africa. ’ Close to 20,000 fragmented pieces but larger items – the majority between 20 and 50mm long - are believed to have been made by women and children . Wei said one ‘ finely made and beautifully shaped ’ item was possibly a gift made by a mother for her child adding that ‘ you can almost feel the maker ’ s love and passion ’ . Researchers said the lack of evidence of animal remains and large stone tools added weight to the argument that the area was used by children rather than adults . Scientists dated the site , discovered in 2002 , using a special geochronological tool . Researchers found more than 700 stone artefacts in an area of less than six square metres in the Nihewan Basin ( pictured ) , Hebei province . The items have been excavated and documented with the findings due to be published in an archaeological journal in China . Nihewan Basin used to be a huge lake and it is thought the items were buried in a sudden landslide . However , a debate has surfaced over the findings and researcher Gao Xing of the CAS Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology said it was important to determine whether the artefacts were all hand made . The South China Morning Post report him as saying : ‘ It is difficult to rule out the possibility that they were just stone fragments created by natural forces . ‘ To determine whether they were hand-made artefacts may go beyond the limit of science today . ’
More than 700 items found at the Nihewan museum in today 's Hebei province . Experts say they could be toys made by early settlers on top of a lake . Leader of the museum has described the quality of the artifacts as ' amazing ' It is thought the artefacts were covered over during a devastating landslide .