Eight tombs found by workers on Thursday date back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), experts with the Shanghai Commission of Cultural Relics Management said yesterday.

The tombs found in Songjiang District are of high historic research value because they were well-preserved and contained several valuable artifacts.

"We have unearthed similar tombs but not many that are well-preserved or with artifacts inside like what we found this time," He Jiying, a researcher with the commission and the leader of the authentication team, said yesterday.

The eight unearthed tombs were found by chance around 5pm on Thursday while construction laborers were working on a government-run tax building on the district's Yuanzhong Road.

Among the finds were a pair of coffins - presumed to be a married couple. These were found in a U-shaped tomb constructed with large pieces of high-quality black bricks.

The male body, covered with a black shroud and painted with golden flowers, was laid upon a wood foundation.

The female body was so well-preserved that part of her muscle is visible. She is wearing a hair pin.

Researchers said the coffins were buried more than 500 years ago.

(eastday.com May 29, 2004)