Six clay mound tombs dating back to 2,700-2,500 years have been unearthed in Lishui County, in east China's Jiangsu Province.

Research begun last November shows that the tombs date to the Spring and Autumn Period. Unearthed are a total of 500 valuable culture relics such as proto-porcelain, bronze, and turquoises.

The most valuable articles excavated include bronze containers and weapons, e.g. cooking vessels, arrows, daggers and lances. The tombs are scattered in five villages of Yongyang Town, Lishui County.

The excavation discovered a large amount of culture relics, as well as the No. 3 mound, the largest of its kind ever discovered in the Nanjing area so far.

It provides important material historical data for the study of clay mound tombs (the special burial custom) from the Western Zhou Dynasty (BC11c.-BC771) to the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (BC770-BC221).

(Xinhua 04/24/2001)