A burial pit inside a 2,400-year-old ancient tomb contains horse-drawn chariots and horse remains, believed to belong to a noble family in China. Archaeologists excavating the site discovered four chariots and over 100 horse skeletons. The excavation site is located in Xinzheng, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, China. The burial pit lies within a larger tomb complex that has preserved many artifacts associated with an ancient noble family.

Although the exact identity of the tomb’s owner has yet to be confirmed, experts suggest that the chariots were likely used by members of the royal family in daily life. The tomb dates to a time when rulers governed the region continuously between 770 and 221 BCE, during the Eastern Zhou Dynasty. Around the tomb, archaeologists have uncovered 18 burial pits containing horse remains and ancient chariots, along with more than 3,000 graves.

One of the ancient chariots is larger and more elaborately decorated than the others, suggesting it may have been used in funeral ceremonies. Measuring 2.56 meters in length and 1.66 meters in width, the chariot is equipped with a canopy for protection against sun and rain, and is adorned with ornamental bone and bronze fittings.

Experts believe that the horses were slaughtered and placed in the burial pit beside the tomb, and afterward, the chariot was disassembled and positioned on top of them. Archaeologists are still investigating the site to uncover more secrets hidden within the large horse skeletons and ancient chariots, hoping to better understand the rituals and status symbols of early Chinese nobility.