On Feb 8, a preliminary judging of the top 10 new archaeological discoveries made in China in 2021 was launched and the high-grade mound-tombs of the Western Zhou Dynasty (c.11th century-771 BC) in the Qujiang district of Quzhou city, in East China's Zhejiang province, were shortlisted.

To date, hundreds of precious cultural relics – such as jade, stone, porcelain and bronze items – have been unearthed there. The Mengjiang No 3 mound, the largest tomb estimated to have the most unearthed cultural relics, is about 14 meters long and 7.8 m wide.

According to Zhang Min, a researcher at the institute, the mound's tombs are the highest grade of tomb in the ancient country of Gumie and are also known as the royal cemetery.