N China tomb excavation site to open to public

Cultural authorities in north China's Hebei province will open the excavation site of a Tang Dynasty (618-907) tomb to the public in June to mark China's seventh Cultural Heritage Day.

Archaeologists will be on hand to guide visitors through the tomb, according to Xie Fei, deputy director of the Hebei provincial bureau of cultural relics.

Xie said the tomb is one of the province's most important archaeological findings. Archaeologists began excavating the tomb, located in Quyang county, in May 2011.

Zhang Chunchang, a researcher from the provincial institute of cultural relics, said archaeologists have yet to identify the tomb's original occupant, although the tomb's dual main chambers indicate that the decedent was of royal stature.

Archaeologists have discovered colorful wall paintings in the tomb, as well as 12 small chambers in addition to the two main chambers.

Zhang said stone engravings suggest the tomb was renovated during the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234).