Ancient tombs found near world heritage site in North China

Chinese archaeologists have discovered two ancient tombs, one from the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770-256 BC) and the other from the Jin Dynasty (1115 -1234), in the city of Pingyao, North China's Shanxi province.

The tombs were found during a joint excavation project led by the Shanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology from October to November. They are located about 800 meters from the eastern wall of the ancient city of Pingyao, a UNESCO world heritage site.

The upper portion of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty tomb was found destroyed with only a rectangular tomb chamber left intact. Ten pieces of relics, including jade ware and pottery, were unearthed from the tomb.

The better-preserved Jin Dynasty tomb, which was found lying on top of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty tomb, consists of a tomb gate, a tomb passage, a tunnel and a tomb chamber.

Items unearthed from the tomb include an earthenware cow, a porcelain bowl and four earthen jars. The tomb owners are a couple.

The tombs' proximity nto the ancient city wall of Pingyao provides important testimony to the existence of Pingyao's history of more than 2,000 years, according to Wu Junhua, a researcher with the Shanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology who led the excavation.

Local authorities in Pingyao are mapping out plans to protect the tombs and exhibit the relics.