A bamboo slip from Tuzishan Relics in Yiyang, Hunan province.[CHINA DAILY]

4. Tuzishan Relics, from the Warring States Period (475-221 BC) to the Wu Dynasty (AD 220-280), Yiyang, Hunan province

Sixteen ancient wells have been discovered at the relics site, and 11 of them contain about 15,000 bamboo slips, traditionally used to keep records. The bamboo slips are from several dynasties.

The slips include a proclamation of accession by the second emperor of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) and records of wars at the end of that dynasty, plus numerous government and legal documents, from different periods of time.

Many other relics, including copper mirrors, eave tiles, as well as animal and plant specimens, were also found in the wells.

"It's no exaggeration to say the relics themselves present a history of bamboo slips and calligraphy," says Zhang Chunlong, a researcher from the Hunan Provincial Institute of Archaeology. "The period of upheaval in the late Qin Dynasty and many historical events are vividly presented via these files. It will greatly help us better understand that time's political system of local governments as well as historical geographic names."

A lacquer model of a human body from the Laoguanshan Tombs in Chengdu, Sichuan province.[CHINA DAILY]

5. Laoguanshan Tombs of the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 24), Chengdu, Sichuan province

Four tombs were uncovered and nine sets of ancient medical books made of wooden and bamboo slips were discovered, on which appear more than 20,000 characters. A lacquer model of a human body for traditional Chinese medical use is the earliest item of its type found in China so far. The files are believed to belong to the Bianque School, a legendary medical school once believed to be lost forever as no documents relating to it had ever been found.

Four sets of loom models were also unearthed, which are so far the nation's only discovery of complete looms from the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220) with clear archaeological recordings.

"A medical legend came back to the world, and it is a milestone for the study of the origins of TCM acupuncture, and even the overall history of TCM," says Xie Tao, deputy director of the Chengdu Municipal Institute of Archaeology. "Sichuan is traditionally known for its delicate silk pieces. The models present the highest weaving technique at that time and are an extraordinarily crucial part of the history of silk."

6. Hanguguan military pass relics of the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25-220), Luoyang, Henan province

This military pass leading to the Silk Road had important strategic significance, and has been repeatedly documented in historical files. The excavation found 17 sections of walls built by rammed earth and two ancient roads and a large number of other construction components. The eastern wall is 22 meters thick. One road was rammed as many as 12 times, and was 2.3 meters thick. Clear evidence of former residents' activities was also detected.

"Studies on ancient military passes are severely lacking in China," says Yan Hui from the Luoyang Municipal Institute of Archaeology. "This discovery provides an important reference to further relevant academic research and relic protection, and will probably help the ancient Silk Road bid for UNESCO World Heritage."