CHANGCHUN, March 28 (Xinhua) -- The set of stone chimes excavated in northeast China's Jilin Province has been confirmed to be at least 4,500 years old, an antiquities expert said.

Zhao Lingshi, former deputy head of the provincial museum and an authentication expert, confirmed the chimes found in the Changbai Mountains dated back 4,500 to 5,000 years to the Neolithic Period.

The ancient instrument consisting of five pieces of stone was excavated last July by the provincial cultural heritage institute at the ruins of Jinjianghekou in the Changbai Mountains, where the Nyuzhen nomadic group originated.

"The instrument covers high, middle, and low tones, and is very precious," said Zhao.

He said the stone chimes may have been used in worship activities and the finding adds more information to the research of Nyuzhen worship activities.