ZHENGZHOU, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Archaeologists announced Saturday that they had discovered a large tomb complex dating back to the Spring and Autumn period (770-476 BC), in a chemical plant in Yima City, central China's Henan Province.

The site consists of 21 tombs and six horse pits containing the remains of 28 horses. Around 500 pieces of burial objects such as bronzeware, pottery and jade were excavated.

In one of the tombs, archaeologists found four "ding," a type of ancient Chinese cauldron, and four "gui," a round-mouthed food vessel with handles. They indicate the owner's noble status.

"The tombs are well preserved and in orderly rows," said Ma Juncai, a researcher with Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Heritage and Archaeology. "The discovery will provide valuable material for the study of funeral rituals and customs of the period in central China."