Relics of ancient buildings have recently been unearthed in the Xiaoling Mausoleum, the tomb of Zhu Yuanzhang, founder of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

The tomb is located in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province.

Archaeologists say one of buildings is the western side chamber of the mausoleum. It is 70 meters long from south to north, and 10 meters wide from east to west.

The base of the chamber which has many post holes, is more than two meters high and built with clay and cobblestones.

The chamber on the eastern side has already been excavated.

The Xiaoling Mausoleum was built on a grand scale and had a layout different from other imperial mausoleums, according historical records. The new findings will offer more clues for experts studying the construction of the Ming mausoleums.

(Xinhua News Agency April 3, 2002)