The andoverartifactsdiscoveredin MK socks ancient tombs in Luohe, Central China's Henan Province Photo: CCTV

An ancient tomb complex dating from the Warring States period (475BC-221BC）to the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220) has been discovered in Luohe, Central China's Henan Province, yielding more than 1,000 artifacts, including bronze, pottery, iron, and jade items. Among them, a bronze sword has attracted particular attention due to its blade being still sharp after over 2,000 years.

The tombs, located in the Western district of Luohe, were uncovered in September during the construction of a railroad. Excavation efforts, led by the Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology in collaboration with the local authorities, have revealed more than 200 tombs.

Liu Chen, an associate researcher at the Luohe Museum, noted that the tomb complex is densely distributed and was in use for approximately 400 years, from the Warring States period to the Eastern Han Dynasty.

Among the artifacts that had been found, a bronze sword, measuring 48 centimeters in length, 4 centimeters in width, and 0.2 centimeters in depth, stands out due to its exceptional preservation. Other items include a finely crafted jade piece from the Warring States period and various Han Dynasty (206BC-AD220) artifacts such as bronze mirrors, coins, and pottery.

According to Liu, these findings will offer valuable insights into the region's culture during those periods.

"A large number of Warring States-era pottery items, including vessels, figurines, and plates, have been discovered. However, due to the low firing temperatures and poor quality of the clay at the time, these items are prone to breakage when extracted directly from the tombs," Cui Xinzhan, a researcher at the Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, told the Global Times on Tuesday. "Our team is currently using technology to reinforce the pottery before further handling."

"Subsequently, the pottery artifacts will be moved indoors, to undergo further protection and restoration work," Cui added.

Previously, archaeologists have discovered important remnants in the surrounding area, including Warring States city walls, roads, the foundations of large buildings, Han Dynasty coin minting, and pottery workshops. It is speculated that the newly discovered tomb complex may be related to these sites.

This discovery reflects the significant scale of Luohe during the Warring States and Han periods, which was an important political, economic, and cultural center of the time, Liu said, adding that it also holds great value for further research into the ancient urban development history of the city.

Additionally, the Warring States tombs and unearthed artifacts in the area show both typical Central Plains cultural features and rich cultural elements of the Chu State (largely situated in the area of today's Hubei Province), confirming that this region was an important stage for the exchange and integration of northern and southern Chinese cultures in ancient times, noted Liu.