An underground cache of bronze wares has been unearthed from a tomb site dating back 2,300 years in the city of Chengdu.

The tombs, containing boat-ship coffins, are located in the Qingbaijiang district of Chengdu. Archaeologists have already completed the excavation of 180 tombs. According to Wang Tianyou, the head of the excavation team, many antiques made of bronze, lacquer, wood, pottery and jade have been pulled from the tombs. Of them, the more than 540 pieces of bronzeware are especially eye-catching. The pieces feature exquisite and well-preserved patterns, which decorating weapons, utensils, tools and ornaments.

"The patterns on the bronze items are typical of the Bashu culture. Therefore we can draw the conclusion that the tombs date back to the days before the state of Qin conquered the states of Ba and Shu [approximately 310 B.C], " said Liu Yumao, a researcher with the Chengdu Cultural Relics and Archaeology Research Institute.

Experts noted that the discovery will help to lift the veil from the mysterious Shu culture. It will also serve as an important reference for customs in ancient Sichuan.