Chinese epigraphy experts have identified a record 4,048 characters on a collection of 27 ancient bronzes unearthed in northwest China's Shaanxi Province after a year of study and research.

Zhang Runtang, deputy director of Baoji bureau of cultural relics in Shaanxi, said at a meeting to mark the anniversary of the discovery that the bronzes, including vessels used for rituals, drinking and food, were all large and elegantly shaped.

The bronze site was unearthed on Jan. 19 last year by five villagers in Meixian County.

"Inscriptions are found on all the vessels, the content of which covers 12 emperors of the Western Zhou Dynasty (about 1046-771 BC)," said Zhang.

A three-legged, wide shallow bowl with handles has 372 characters, the most of all the bronzes ever discovered from the Western Zhou Dynasty, the content of which is about eight generations of the Shan family, an important political power of the time.

"The inscriptions not only provide valuable material for research into the history and culture of the Western Zhou Dynasty, but are also significant to the dating of the Xia (about 2070-1600BC), Shang (about 1600-1046 BC) and Zhou (about 1046-221 BC) dynasties, which is still unclear because of the lack of recorded history, but is important for the research into the development of ancient Chinese culture," said Zhang.

Liu Yunhui, deputy director of Shaanxi bureau of cultural relics, said the five villagers were rewarded for protecting the bronzes.

(Xinhua News Agency January 13, 2004)