Ancient tomb confirmed as that of famed Han emperor

More than 110 burial pits were scattered around the tomb. According to Ma, though only eight burial pits have been excavated, over 1,000 pottery figurines that "guarded" the emperor were found. Thousands more artifacts made of pottery, iron and bronze were also unearthed.

Some of the bronzeware pieces were decorations for horses and chariots, and a group of Western Han officials' seals were also among highlights of the discoveries.

"It showed these pits may mimic an entire system of government," Ma said. "The emperor wanted to rule his country even in the underworld."

Researchers once faced challenges in looking for Baling, because no towering mound was erected to seal Liu Heng's mausoleum due to the emperor's preference for a simple lifestyle.

Archaeological investigation in the area began in the 1960s. Preliminary excavations were also made in the 1980s and around 2000.

A site about 2 kilometers north of the Jiangcun tomb was previously thought to be Baling. However, follow-up research there was fruitless, prompting archaeologists to switch their focus to the current site.