Chinese archaeologists have unearthed 50 ancient tombs dating
back 2,400 years in Yunxian County of Danjiangkou City, central
China's Hubei Province.
The excavation found more than 10 sets of ancient bronze
artifacts for ceremonial use, including pots, cups, daggers and
arrows at the No.4 tomb, said Huang Fengchun, a researcher from
Hubei Cultural Relic Research Institute.
"Inscriptions, fine jade decorations and floral patterns can be
easily identified on the surface of these artifacts," Huang
said.
At the end of the 1950s, ancient tombs with similar artifacts
were unearthed in Yunxian County. However, the excavations were
slow and insufficient due to a lack of funds.
Belonging to the Spring and Autumn Period (770 B.C. to 476 B.C.)
of Eastern Zhou Dynasty, the floral patterns carved on the
well-preserved tomb articles will provide valuable clues to the
study of ancient funeral ceremonies and customs during that period,
Huang said.
Located in northwest Hubei province, Yunxian County has abundant
historical sites, such as the Meipu ape man relic site dating back
500,000 to 1 million years ago and the Qinglongquan ruins dating
back to the New Stone Age, 12,000 years ago.
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(Xinhua News Agency June 20, 2006)
