Qinghai: A stone inscription discovered on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau has been identified as China's only known Qin Dynasty (221 B.C.-207 B.C.) engraved stone still preserved at its original site, Chinese authorities announced. It is also the highest altitude discovery from that historical period.

According to Oman News Agency, the stone is located on the northern shore of Gyaring Lake in Maduo County, northwest China's Qinghai Province, at an altitude of 4,306 meters. The inscription covers an area of approximately 0.16 square meters and contains 37 characters, as reported by China's National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA).

Laboratory analysis has revealed that the stone is composed of quartz sandstone, noted for its resistance to abrasion and weathering. The inscription remains largely intact, with most characters clearly legible, including a complete date not found in existing records. This discovery helps fill gaps in the historical narrative and holds significant historical, artistic, and scientific value.