Seven ancient tombs are found in Yunhe county, Lishui. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

A significant archaeological discovery was recently made in Yunhe county – administered by Lishui city in East China's Zhejiang province – when a row of seven ancient tombs from the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420) were identified.

After more than 70 days of excavation, 32 exquisite artifacts – including bronze mirrors, bronze seals and porcelain from the tombs – were unearthed.

The relics were found in middle June during a safety inspection of a nearby construction site. The discovery was immediately reported to the provincial bureau of cultural heritage, according to officials.

Although the seven tombs were damaged to varying degrees, they were large in scale, with deep chambers and fascinating patterns engraved on the tomb interior walls.

"Tomb No 2, in particular, had clear and detailed inscriptions on the tombstone. It has the name of the tomb owner, the date of death and even the name of the tombstone maker," said Yang Kexin, director of the Yunhe county cultural relic protection center.

The two bronze seals unearthed from Tomb No 2 are regarded as being of very high archaeological value. One of the seals had six sides, indicating the owner must have been a government official, according to a researcher.

The discovery has been rated as being of great value to the study of politics, commerce, culture and funeral customs in southwest Zhejiang during the six dynasties period (222-589).