The remains of a city from the Han Dynasty (202 BC-220 AD), along with 1,092 tombs, have been unearthed in Beijing's Tongzhou district, according to a press conference held on Nov. 24.

From Feb. 26 to Sept. 28, archeologists conducted surveys and excavations in Tongzhou's Lucheng Township, which is part of the new sub-center of Beijing. Archeologists excavated 40,000 square meters of land, in which they found over 1,000 tombs spanning from the Warring States period (475 BC-221 BC) to the Qing Dynasty (1644 AD-1911 AD). In addition, the remains of a city from the Han Dynasty was unearthed, including 10 wells, three roads and 69 kilns. The excavated artifacts include more than 10,000 pieces of pottery, copper, iron and leather.

The findings provide evidence of environmental changes in Tongzhou over the past 2,000 years. The tombs are also a precious reference for the study of Han Dynasty society. Researchers believe that the area was inhabited by a large population 2,000 years ago, and it became very prosperous during the Eastern Han Dynasty (25 AD-220 AD).