Experts from Hunan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology estimate that the ancient tombs cover an area of 13.8 hectares and the tombs must have been constructed from Warring States (475 B.C.-221 B.C.) to Western and Eastern Jin Dynasties (265 A.D.-420 A.D.).

Up to now, 35 of the tombs have been excavated from the burial ground.

Zhang Dabing, an associate researcher with the institute, said that judging from the earth filling and shape of the tombs, the grave ground contains cultural relics unique to the southern areas of Chu, one of the vassal states during Warring States, which are also found in other previously excavated medium-sized and small tombs belonging to the Warring States, and reflects the burial customs of Changsha state during Western Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-24 A.D.).

"Excavating the grave ground is of great significance in studying folkways, protocol and burial customs of Changsha State during the Warring States and the Han Dynasty," said Zhang.

According to Zhang, Changsha State was a vassal kingdom that had survived for the longest period of time during the Western Han Dynasty. And cultural ruins here are useful for studying the history of vassal states during the late years of Western Han Dynasty.

A special fund of 400,000 yuan (about 48,190 US dollars) is put in place for protection and rescue excavation of the underground ancient tombs, said local sources.

(Xinhua 03/03/2001)