A copper lamp from the Wenfengta Tomb, Suizhou, Hubei province.Photo Provided to China Daily

2. Wenfengta Tombs of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770-256 BC), Suizhou, Hubei province

About 60 tombs were found in Hubei province during urban construction. The relics belong to the ancient state of Zeng, which became known across the globe for its delicate bronze bells called bianzhong that were found in the tomb of Marquis Yi, which was unearthed in 1978.

Other tombs from the same period had previously been uncovered, but what makes this discovery unique is that these tombs display different characteristics. A tomb of another marquis, who lived in a later period than Marquis Yi, was also found.

The finds are also the biggest discovery of Zeng's bronze ware in recent decades. Archaeologists can trace the relics back to their owners.

"The discovery fills the gap of historical recordings of the Zeng state between the earlier Western Zhou Dynasty and later periods of time," says Huang Fengchun from the Hubei Provincial Institute of Archaeology. "It also solves many mysteries bothering archeologists for a long time and will reconstruct our understanding of the overall history of Zeng."