Archaeologists excavate ancient noble tomb in North China

TAIYUAN - Archaeologists have excavated a noble tomb that is believed to be the largest tomb of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770-256 BC) so far unearthed in northern China's Shanxi province.

Based on the structure and features of the tomb, archaeologists said the wife of a Jin duke may be buried in it. Jin is a vassal state in the Eastern Zhou Dynasty.

Although the tomb was robbed by tomb raiders, more than 1,700 relics have been unearthed, including small utensils and tools made of various materials, such as pottery, copper, iron, gold, jade, stone and bone, featuring the culture of the State of Jin.

The tomb, 14.3 meters long and 13.5 meters wide, is among a number of tombs in the Qiujiazhuang Cemetery. At least five large-scale tomb clusters, each consisting of three tombs, were found in Qiujiazhuang.

Tian Jianwen, a researcher with the Shanxi archaeological research institute, said the tomb clusters are likely to hold Jin monarchs and their wives, which is of great significance to the studies of Jin history and culture.