The Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology in Xi’an on Dec 12 announced the discovery of the largest tomb complex, dating back to the Zhou Dynasty and the Spring and Autumn Period.

Located in Liujiawa Township, Chengcheng County, local archaeologists believe that the site had been robbed on multiple occasions. They have unearthed 56 tombs so far, including two chariot pits and a horse pit.

A total of 19 small-and medium-sized tombs have already been excavated, four of which had been robbed. Over 300 historical treasures have been brought back to light, mostly bronze items, but also other exquisite relics. The tombs and relics demonstrate the culture of the Zhou and Qin dynasties.

Judging from the tremendous scale of the two tombs, the local experts presumed that they date back to the early to mid Spring and Autumn Period, and belong to royal ancestors of the Zhou Dynasty.

A total of 402 stolen items have been recovered so far, including bronze wares, sacrificial vessels, jade, and gold, among which 12 are national first-class cultural relics. “This region could be an assigned territory for an aristocrat in Zhou Dynasty and the Spring and Autumn Period,” the experts suggested.