Tombs, Treasures, and 2,000-year-old Bronze Sword Unearthed in China

In 2015, archaeologists in China made a spectacular discovery at a construction site in Zhoukou City, Henan Province – a tomb complex containing 21 ancient tombs filled with treasures including a 2,000-year-old bronze sword. 2018 would bring over 100 more ancient burials to light in Zhoukou.

According to China Daily, the 2015 discovery was made when archaeologists carried out a search for any cultural relics ahead of an infrastructure project in the city’s Xiangcheng area.

Xinhuanet news reports that the age of those tombs span from the Warring States Period (475 – 221 BC) to the East Han Dynasty (25 – 220 AD). Nineteen of the tombs are earth pits, while another two are brick-chambered tombs.  Most of the tombs had been looted in the past, but five of the tombs remained intact.

Archaeologists uncovering relics in one of the newly-discovered tombs. [Photo/IC]

Within the tombs researchers found numerous grave goods including jewelry, ceramics, utensils, tiles, and bronze wares. One of the more significant findings was a bronze sword that has been dated to around 2,000 years old. Research Han Yanzhen, a scholar with cultural heritage institute of Zhoukou City, explained that the sword was well preserved due to the soil conditions.