Archaeologists in the central China province of Henan have excavated 336 tombs dating back more than 3,000 years.

Arranged in a U shape, the tombs were unearthed near Hebi City at the Liuzhuang ruins of the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 B.C.). Funeral objects were discovered in 208 of the 336 tombs, including tomahawks, strings of turquoise stone beads, ancient cooking vessels and basins.

The most noticeable among these tombs contained a stone coffin, which was formed by 13 stones. Archaeologists also discovered that in some of the tombs, stones were put beside the head or feet of the tomb owner.

Judging from the few funeral objects in each tomb and the shape and structure of the tombs, archaeologists said that the tombs belonged to a clan of middle to lower class of their day.

This is the first time that such a great number of Shang tombs have been unearthed in Henan Province and the discovery provides valuable evidence for studying the funeral rituals, social structure, and culture of the Shang Dynasty, said Zhao Xinping, a research fellow with the Henan Provincial Cultural Heritage and Archaeological Research Institute.

The discovery of the stone coffin, which had not previously been seen in central China at that time, provides clues to the origin of the Shang people, Zhao said.

Located to the south of Liuzhuang Village of Qibin District in Hebi City, the Liuzhuang ruins covers more than 300,000 sq m. So far an area of 7,700 sq m. has been excavated.

(Xinhua News Agency February 9, 2006)