China Prepares to Excavate More Tomb Treasures

JINGZHOU, China—Chinese archaeologists are poised to excavate a horse-and-chariot sector of a tomb dating back more than 2,300 years, older than the tomb containing the terra-cotta army, Xinhua News Agency reports. Excavation is set to begin in February 2008, assisted by state-of-the-art mapping and computer technology. Archaeologists are not sure who lies inside, but the trove of treasures unearthed from the tomb's other sections, including jade items, lead many to believe it is one of the kings of the state of Chu. "The great probability is that the tomb is of King Zhao of Chu, named Xiong Zhen, who was the last king of the state," said Xu Wenwu, a professor at Changjiang University. The tomb is expected to be turned into a museum similar to the one housing the tomb of the terracotta warriors.