Ancient family tomb found in China

Beijing, May 2 (IANS) Archaeologists have found a tomb, believed to contain a husband and wife, dating back to the early period of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) in China's Hunan province.

Two well-preserved wooden coffins, one larger than the other, were found inside the tomb in Shizhuhu village, Xinhua news agency cited the Hunan Institute of Archaeology as saying.

Archaeologists found the remains of the male in the larger coffin on the left and only clothing in the other coffin, which is thought to belong to a female.

"The size and position of coffins show ancient Chinese beliefs toward male superiority," said Zhang Xingguo, associate researcher with the institute.

Bricks inscribed with four Chinese characters designated it as an ancestral tomb of the Yi family, the institute said. The tomb had been looted and its roof damaged.

Police have collected funeral artefacts from the Ming and Qing dynasties, common in tombs in southern China, from the site.

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