In 2008, the Henan Cultural Relics Bureau prepared for the rescue excavation of a tomb belonging to the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25-220) in Anyang County. In December 2008, approved by the State Bureau of Cultural Relics, Henan Cultural Relics Bureau and Henan Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology began to excavate the tomb. On Dec. 27, 2009, it was confirmed as the tomb of Cao Cao (206 BC-220 AD), the strongest of the three warlords competing for control of China after the downfall of the Han Dynasty. Skull and limb bones were found in the tomb. While some experts question its authenticity, they believed the discovery was driven by local and personal interests rather than true archaeological discovery.