104 Warring States Period-Han Dynasty tombs unearthed in Hebei province. (photo by Li Jun/Huang Tao)

Recently, Xingtai's archaeological team from Hebei province found 2 Han Dynasty kiln sites and 104 ancient tombs from the Warring States Period to the Han dynasty in Zhangduo.

According to the Hebei Cultural Relics Bureau, to coordinate with the program of South-to-North water diversion, Xingtai's archaeological team initiated archaeological excavation at Zhangduo's No. 2 ruins. And in the process of excavation, the 2 kiln sites and 104 ancient tombs were unearthed.

The 2 kiln sites are preserved very well, complete with kiln fired ceramic tiles and a large amount of broken terracotta as well as some basins and pots. This is the first time of terracotta kilns have been found in Xingtai, and they provide rich material for research on local buildings during the Han Dynasty.

20 of 104 ancient tombs belonged to the late Warring States Period, and others belonged to early of Han Dynasty. Judging from the method of burial, we can tell that Qin people had started their life since Warring States Period. In addition, the items unearthed from these tombs could play an important role in the research of local culture as well as the changing history of funerals from Warring States Period to the Han Dynasty.