SHIJIAZHUANG - Six ancient tombs built during the Yuan Dynasty (AD 1271-1368 ) have been unearthed in North China's Hebei Province, providing new artifacts for cultural research.

The tombs, discovered in Renshui Village, Bazhou City, contained a tombstone as well as pottery, china and copper coins. Archaeologists say these tombs were built for a family.

Excavation work began less than a month ago, and the artifacts have been sent to a higher cultural relics department for further identification, said Kang Jian, deputy head of Bazhou's Administration of Cultural Relics (BACR).

Archaeologists had previously found ancient tombs that date back to the Song Dynasty (AD 960-1279) in Bazhou.

Wang Tong, BACR director, said the discoveries will boost research on how funerals were conducted in the area and on local customs during the Song and Yuan dynasties.