2,400-yr-old Chinese tomb belong to Chu king, say archaeologists

New Delhi, Dec 14 (ANI): A team of archaeologists have come to the conclusion that a Chinese tomb dating back to 2,400 years, was that of a king of the state of Chu, who existed during the Warring States Period 475 to 221 BC).

"The tomb is the largest and best preserved found to date from the State of Chu in the Warring States Period," said Liu Binhui, an expert in Chu culture with the Hunan provincial museum, who had carried out research in Jingzhou for more than 20 years before transferring to Hunan.

The tomb has a 131-m-long horse and chariot chamber, the longest ever found from the period.

Excavation of the chamber is about half complete, with 43 chariots and more than 100 horses unearthed, according to Liu.

"Three chariots were equipped with six horses," he said.

"That reflects the rank of the tomb's owner. Only kings were allowed to drive chariots with six horses during the Warring States Period," he added.

The consensus came at an archaeological forum dedicated to the discussion of the tomb's occupant, after more than two years of excavation from the tomb compound, which is located in Jingzhou, Hubei province.

"All of the evidence leads to the conclusion that the tomb belongs to a king of the State of Chu," Liu said.

Ever since its discovery, archaeologists have shown great interested in the occupant of the tomb, which covers an area of 60,000 sq m.

According to Xu Wenwu, a professor with the Changjiang University, "The great probability is that the tomb is of King Zhao of Chu, named Xiong Zhen, who was the last king of the state." (ANI)