Ancient tombs unearthed in north China

SHIJIAZHUANG - Nearly 300 pieces of cultural relics have been unearthed from a cluster of ancient tombs in North China's Hebei province, archaeologists said on Friday.

The tombs, located in Beidazhao Qiandong village of Nanhe county, 150 km south of the provincial capital of Shijiazhuang, are believed to be from the middle and late West Han Dynasty (206 BC- 24 AD) and middle Tang Dynasty (618-907), said archaeologist Li Lianshen.

More than 4,000 square meters of land have been combed since the excavation started in May, and archaeologists have discovered 73 tombs altogether, Li said.

Zhang Xiaozheng, head of the excavation, said the relics are mostly pottery, chinaware and bronze ware that were used in daily life.

Zhang said the tombs are likely to belong to ordinary families judging from their shape and structure.

About 10 more tombs are yet to be excavated, he added.