Seventeen ancient tombs believed to be built in the Warring
States Period (403 - 221 BC) were found in a recent rescue
excavation at an express highway construction site in north China's
Inner
Mongolia Autonomous Region.
Nearly at the same place, an ancient village dating back 4,000
years was also discovered by the experts, who are from a research
institute on archaeology of the autonomous region.
They were surprised by the unique burial style. Bodies were put
in jars, pots or basins and then buried in tombs in nearby
Chenjiaying Village in Chifeng's Songshan District.
Axes, stone adzes and stone spades, along with some pottery and
potsherd were unearthed from the village located in a Xiajiadian
village site.
The tombs and the village were exposed when the express highway
connecting Chifeng and Tongliao, another city in the autonomous
region, were being built.
The excavation is expected to be finished in approximately three
months, according to experts.
(Xinhua News Agency May 29, 2005)