SHIJIAZHUANG, Aug. 18 -- An epitaph dating back over 1,300 years has been found in Linxi County in north China's Hebei Province, local authorities said.

The epitaph, measuring 47 cm long and 47 cm wide, has 405 characters. It records the family history of the tomb owner -- Ju Yicheng, a senior official in the early Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.). The epitaph also praises the good family traits, noble moral character and personal cultivation of Ju.

Zhang Xia, head of the county's cultural heritage protection center, said the epitaph provides a significant reference for further research on the history and the military system of the early Tang Dynasty. It also helps understand local funeral customs and culture.