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)