Zircon evidence for the Eoarchean (~3.7 Ga) crustal remnant in the Sulu Orogen, eastern China

•Eoarchean zircons as old as 3.7 Ga are found in Neoproterozoic granitic gneisses.•The Eoarchean zircons show negative εHf(t) values of −2.8 to −0.9 and CHUR Hf model ages of 3.74–3.96 Ga.•The Eoarchean zircons were derived from reworking of the early Eoarchean crust.•Paleoproterozoic to Neoproterozoic zircons were derived from reworking of the Archean crust.•The relict zircons of Eoarchean age record the growth and reworking of the most ancient crust in the Yangtze Craton.