380-yr-old tombstone discovered in North China

SHIJIAZHUANG -- A 380-year-old tombstone was discovered in Nanhe county, North China's Hebei province, according to local publicity authorities.

The tombstone, dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), was discovered in Dongsanzhao village.

It comprises two pieces, each measuring 80 cm both in length and width, and 18 cm in thickness. A 1,445-character inscription on the tombstone depicts the history of a family surnamed Bai and the tomb owner Bai Xiangxian, who was a ranking official of the Ming Dynasty.

Lan Jianhui, a local history expert, said the well-preserved tombstone provides important materials for the study of the history of human migration in early Ming Dynasty, as well as the politics and culture in late Ming.