Five gold ornaments shaped like cat's paws unearthed recently at one of the ancient tombs of Beibaie village in Yuanqu county, Shanxi province, have attracted the attention of archeologists.

Last spring, a team from the provincial and local institutes of cultural relics and archaeology began a systematic excavation. After eight months' work, they discovered nine large and medium-sized tombs from the Zhou Dynasty (c.11th century-256 BC), covering an area of 1,200 square meters.

More than 500 cultural relics, including bronzes, pottery, jade, lacquer, boneware and stoneware, were unearthed at the site.

"The cute gold ornaments were found in the No 1 tomb," said Yang Jiyun, head of the archaeological team. "They would be parts of a string of ornaments worn on the body."

Gold ornaments in the shape of cat's paws that were recently unearthed at one of the ancient tombs of Beibaie village in Yuanqu county, Shanxi province. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Gold ornaments in the shape of cat's paws that were recently unearthed at one of the ancient tombs of Beibaie village in Yuanqu county, Shanxi province. [Photo provided to China Daily]

One of the gold cat's paw ornaments recently unearthed from one of the ancient tombs in Beibaie village in Yuanqu county, Shanxi province. [Photo provided to China Daily]