Archaeologists unearth possible subordinate tombs of royal mausoleum in central China

CHANGSHA, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- Archaeologists have unearthed 21 tombs dating back to the Western Han Dynasty (202 BC-AD 25) in the central Chinese city of Changsha, which are possibly subordinate tombs of a royal mausoleum, according to the municipal institute of archaeology.

Zhou Baodong, head of the excavation project, said the tombs are all earth pits and can be divided into two types -- tombs with passageways and those without.

Zhou added that many of the graves were found side by side, which may be joint tombs for couples or family members.

Notably, archaeologists found a unique tomb in the cluster. As per speculations, it may be a two-tiered structure, which is rare to see in Hunan Province that administers Changsha.

"If our speculation proves true, it will provide important clues for studying the development and distribution of double-decked tombs in the Han Dynasty," Zhou said.

A total of 234 burial items, mostly pottery artifacts, were found in the tombs.

Given the proximity and similar ages of the burials, archaeologists said they are likely to be subordinate tombs for an ancient royal mausoleum.

The new findings can provide basic information for studying the burial system in present-day Changsha during the Western Han Dynasty, Zhou said.