Changsha (China) May 23 (IANS) A total of 86 ancient tombs have been unearthed in central China s Hunan province the provincial archaeological research institute said on Wednesday.

The tombs were located in the city of Yiyang and the excavation started in December Xinhua news agency reported.

Among the discovered tombs 82 were built in the Warring States period (475 B.C.-221 B.C.) and four date back to the Six Dynasties (222-589) to Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

More than 400 items of pottery bronze iron jade ware including swords mirrors and scales were also discovered in the area.

"These items indicate that the owners of the tombs might be common people and aristocrats from middle and lower social classes" said Deng Jianqiang from the city s cultural relics management bureau adding that the tomb owners could be craftsmen and businessmen.

--IANS mag/soni/mr