BEIJING, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- The following are highlights of China's key archaeological news from the past week:

-- 1,300-yr-old epitaph

An epitaph dating back over 1,300 years has been found in Linxi County in north China's Hebei Province, local authorities said.

The epitaph, measuring 47 cm long and 47 cm wide, has 405 characters. It records the family history of the tomb owner -- Ju Yicheng, a senior official in the early Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.). The epitaph also praises the good family traits, noble moral character and personal cultivation of Ju.

Zhang Xia, head of the county's cultural heritage protection center, said the epitaph provides a significant reference for further research on the history and the military system of the early Tang Dynasty.

-- 386-year-old epitaph found in N China

An epitaph dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1384-1644) has been found in north China's Hebei Province, local authorities said Tuesday.

Found in Dongsanzhao Village in Nanhe County, the epitaph, which is believed to have been made during the reign of Emperor Chongzhen, has a history of 386 years, according to the county's publicity department.

"The epitaph is well preserved with clear inscriptions. It provides important historical materials for the study of the Ming Dynasty," said Lan Jianhui, an expert on culture and history.

-- 1,200-yr-old tombstone found in N China

A tombstone dating back more than 1,200 years has been found in north China's Hebei Province, local authorities said Wednesday.

The tombstone, found in Houguotun Village in Qinghe County, is 36 cm tall, 36 cm wide and 8.5 cm thick, with an inscription of 573 characters.

The epitaph records the history of the tomb owner -- the wife of a Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.) official who died at the age of 24. It also praises the woman's good looks and noble moral character. Enditem

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