Chinese archaeologists have found the tomb of a nobleman, dating back to the Shang Dynasty (16th century B.C.- 11th century B.C.) in Anyang, a city in central China's Henan Province.

The archaeologists said it had not been robbed or destroyed before being discovered under the groundwork of several houses at the site of Yinxu, the Shang Dynasty capital.

The 5.6 by 3.8 meter tomb, located 7.2 meters underground, is near the palace zone of the Yinxu.

The coffin and two outer coffins are well protected in the tomb, the experts said.

Objects unearthed from the tomb include numerous articles made of bronze, jade, gold, stone and pottery articles, which are rarely discovered in the site. The bronze weapons prove that the occupant of the tomb was probably a senior military officer of the dynasty.

"The tombs will provide valuable clues for the study on funeral systems and tomb construction in the Shang Dynasty," the expert added.

(People’s Daily 01/18/2001)