Archaeologists in southwest China's Yunnan Province have discovered 11 stone-chamber tombs from the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) and Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

The tombs were discovered during the latest excavation of the 1,500-square-meters of ruins in Suijiang County of Zhaotong City, according to the city's heritage management office.

Yu Tengsong, head with the office, said that most tombs had two chambers, while some had three, five or eight.

Made of quality bluestone, each chamber has two doors connecting to other rooms and is engraved with delicate images of figures and flowers.

"The discovery, in particular the rare eight-chamber tomb, reflects the booming economy of the northeastern region of Yunnan in the Yuan and Ming dynasties, and will further aid research on the history and social life of the area," Yu said.

More than 20 cultural relics including pottery and metalware were unearthed in the tombs.