Two pieces of pottery have led archaeologists to a treasure trove of over 2,000 burial objects in East China's Jiangsu Province, including sets of jade and primitive porcelain ware and hundreds of ancient musical instruments .

The site was declared as one of China's top 10 most valuable archeological digs in 2004 on April 17. Experts believe the findings may help rewrite the ancient history of not only this region, but also that of music and porcelain making.

 Underground treasure trove

The complex, hidden in 15 small mounds at Hongshan Township of Jiangsu's Wuxi City, revealed seven ancient tombs of nobles just before the construction of an ambitious economic development zone was about to begin. Archaeologists have confirmed the tombs are heritages of the State of Yue during the Warring States Period (475-221BC).

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  A good many surprises

Initial studies revealed that the whole tomb site probably dates back to the early years of the State of Yue, around 496 BC when the immortalized King Goujian took the throne.

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  An unexpected musical find

All together, more than 500 musical instruments made from clay, outstanding both in quantity and quality, were unearthed from the tombs. Experts believe they have found one of the best and most complete sets of musical instruments from the Warring States Period, and like to compare the tombs with the Mausoleum of Marquis Yi of Zeng State (around 433BC), famous for its Zeng Houyi Bells, the largest set of bronze bells excavated in the world, and its stone chimes.

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  Historic turn of porcelain making

More than half of the finds are porcelain ware with exquisite design and craftsmanship, which is also a breakthrough in the archeological discoveries, bringing forward the maturity of porcelain making at least 700 years before the Han period when, according to previous popular knowledge, real porcelain ware appeared.

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  More to discover

Experts are currently busy in doing extensive studies on the finds and mapping out a specific protection plan for the Hongshan tombs, which will convert the former development zone into a window displaying the Yue kingdom's history and culture.

Meanwhile, musicologists are trying to reassemble the unearthed instruments and make them "sing" again. Even biologists are engaged in examining various pollen specimens found at the site, to gain an insight into the ecological environment of the area more than 2,300 years ago.

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