38 tombs, rare figurine unearthed in Sichuan

The rear of a 60 cm-tall pottery figurines unearthed from the Han Dynasty (202 BC - AD 220) tombs in Guanghan city, China's Southwest Sichuan province, Oct 9, 2013. Archeologists said the plump figure lifting pants might be a musician figurine. [Photo/CFP]

Thirty-eight ancient tombs and a rare half-naked figurine built in the Han Dynasty (202 BC - AD 220) were discovered recently in Guanghan, Sichuan province, Chengdu Commercial Daily reported on Friday.

According to Liu Huashi, deputy director of the Sichuan provincial archaeology institute, the tombs have been excavated since June and were found over an area of more than 100,000 square meters. Although many of the tombs were robbed, archaeologists were able to unearth a number of rare relics from the tombs, including a figurine of a half-naked woman resembling the ancient Greek sculpture Venus de Milo.

Liu said that the tombs are believed to have belonged to local rich people and officials and that the relics unearthed from the tombs will provide historical information about the region.

Related Stories:

Rare wares from Han Dynasty grave

Ancient tombs unearthed in north China

Shaanxi caves were ancient burial tombs