Tang-era Han tombs found in eastern Xinjiang

Gong Guoqiang, director of the archaeological team, said the relics, ancient tomb and temple sites have provided valuable materials and clues to study the ancient Silk Road.

Hami prefecture in Xinjiang, one of the major trading hubs along the ancient Chinese Silk Road, had much been influenced by the Chinese culture of the Tang Dynasty at that time, Gong said.

The relics and sites have provided important evidence the Tang Dynasty government had administered Xinjiang and western Chinese regions, he said.