XI'AN, Feb. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese archaeologists have unearthed the well-preserved tomb of a general of the Western Jin Dynasty (265-317) in northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

    The tomb, containing the general's remains, is located in Xianyang City, one of the most famous cities in ancient China. It consists of six parts including an inclined tomb passage, front and back chambers and entrance doors.

    Objects unearthed included pottery basins, mills and jars and kitchen ranges and water wells made of pottery. The archaeologists have also excavated a complete set of weaponry such as iron knives, bronze crossbows and forks and some copper coins.

    The most valuable find was a seal engraved with the words "military marquis", which shows that the status of the tomb owner was a general.

    As the western and eastern Jin dynasties were short historical periods in ancient China and there was a turbulent situation at that stage, few cultural relics are left over from the period, let alone the tombs of high-ranking military officers.

    Consequently, excavation of the tomb is of great value to the study of historical development in the Western Jin Dynasty, said a Chinese archaeologist. Enditem