The rectangular mound of Wuxi Hongshan Tombs Site covers an area of 475 square meters. [Photo/wxrb.com]

On the southeast side of the Hongshan Relic Museum in Wuxi Xinwu district, a rectangular mound covered with vegetation encompassed by a trench and an irregular mound nestles in green trees.

"This is the demonstration site for the protection of two ancient mounds in the Hongshan site," said Li Guangri, deputy director of the Wuxi Municipal Institute of Cultural Heritage Protection and Archaeology.

He said the two different shapes of mounds at the Hongshan site were selected for trial protection in 2015.

Located in the core protection area of the Hongshan site, the two mounds date back to the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC-476 BC) and the Warring States Period (475 BC-221 BC). The rectangular one covers an area of 475 square meters and the irregular one covers 260 square meters.

Wuxi Hongshan Tombs Site is listed in the top ten archaeological discoveries in China in 2004. [Photo/wxrb.com]

The archaeological research and protection of the Hongshan site has been ongoing since the establishment of the Hongshan National Archaeological Site Park and the Hongshan Relic Museum.

Different from the Qiucheng mound, which is protected indoors, the two mounds are located in the wild and their protection bears more significance for the protection of the site itself.

Wuxi Hongshan Tombs Site was listed in the top ten archaeological discoveries in China in 2004. Together with 12 other sites such as the Old Summer Palace, Liangzhu Site and Yinxu Ruins, it was included in the first batch of national archaeological sites in China.