A cluster of ancient tombs dating back to the Warring States Period (475-221 BC) have been excavated at a graveyard in central China's Henan Province.

The 58 tombs were excavated at the Tieling Graveyard in the city of Xinzheng, according to the provincial cultural relics bureau, along with a large number of delicate potteries.

The 300,000-square-meter site was one of the most important graveyards of the Han Kingdom, one of the seven kingdoms during that period.

It lies about 2.5 kilometers to the southwest of the ancient capital and faces a mausoleum of kings of old.

The bureau began excavating the graveyard in May and, to date, has completed about 2,000 square meters, allowing the mind to boggle at the potential quantity of finds to be uncovered.

Archaeologists said the discoveries were valuable for the study of burial ceremonies during the Warring States Period.

(Xinhua News Agency November 7, 2006)