SHIJIAZHUANG, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Cultural relic protection workers in northern China's Hebei Province have recently unearthed more than 1,000 cooper coins dating back to the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) in a village.

A cultural relic enthusiast found several ancient coins nearby a temple, located in Zhanghuabao Village, Weixian County on March 15. The resident then dug the earth and discovered a big jar deep underground, which had a large number of coins inside.

Villagers then reported to the county's cultural relic protection department, which sent personnel to the site and conducted an excavation.

Cultural relic protection workers said most of the coins have rusted and stuck together, and they will carry out further cleaning and research work.