Tomb of China's 1st emperor's grandmother unearthed in Shaanxi

Photo shows the excavation site. [Photo: cnwest.com]

Item excavated from the tomb. [Photo: cnwest.com]

(ECNS) -- A large tomb of China's first emperor Qin Shi Huang's grandma has been unearthed in a university campus of northwest China's Shaanxi province.

The tomb, situated on the new campus of Xi'an University of Finance and Economics in the southwest suburb of the city, covers 260 mu (173, 325 sq meters) and is 550 meters in length and 310 meters in width.

Archeologists have excavated two carriages pulled by six horses each from the tomb, a symbol of high rank to equal that of the emperor, which has confirmed former estimations that Qin Shi Huang's grandmother was buried here.

Jade, gold and silver fragments, as well as elegantly engraved pottery buried with the owner of the grave, have additionally helped establish the facts.

This is the second largest tomb ever to be discovered in the country, experts said, adding that emperor Qin Shi Huang is likely to have built the tomb himself.

The "Terracotta Warriors and Horses", buried with the first emperor, are reputed to be among the world's great wonders.