2,600-year-old tombs discovered in Henan

A group of tombs dating back to the Spring and Autumn period (771-476 BC) has been discovered in central China's Henan Province, archaeologists said on Sunday.

The tomb of a Luhun nobleman and his family also contained the skeletons 
of 13 horses and six chariots [Credit: Xinhua]

In another tomb, the largest in the area, archaeologists also discovered copper bells 
and copper ceremonial pots [Credit: Xinhua]

The grouping, located in Yichuan County of Luoyang City, is composed of more than 200 tombs, eight horse and chariot pits, over 30 ash pits and more than 10 kilns. It covers an area over 200,000 square meters.

The area had ground water damage, which needed to be pumped out, but it was still 
well preserved despite the damage [Credit: Xinhua]

The relatively small size of the burial pits showed experts that it belonged to 
someone important but with little political power [Credit: Xinhua]

Alongside the tombs, an ancient city dating back to the Han Dynasty (202 BC-220) was also discovered.

The relics from the tomb have yet to be catalogued but they showed influences 
from the neighbouring regions at the time [Credit: Xinhua]

The horses carried intricate adornments on them (pictured), giving archaeologists 
clues to the period that the tombs were built [Credit: Xinhua]

Archaeologists believe the site was home to an ancient tribe more than 2,600 years ago. The tribe was one of the few in the region whose migration and time of perish was recorded.

Cow and sheep's heads and hoofs were also found in the burial site, which was said 
to be a Luhun Kingdom tradition at the time [Credit: Xinhua]

Experts hope the site will help them uncover and track the movements of the ethnic 
minority groups in the area during that time [Credit: Xinhua]

Experts will study the tribe to learn the history of migration of minorities in the central area of China.

Source: Xinhua [December 07, 2015]