An ancient cemetery has been found in Kucha, a city in northwest China. The cemetery, which is approximately 1,700 years old, is situated on the Silk Road, a network of ancient trade routes that previously connected China to the Roman Empire.

Archaeologists have discovered 10 tombs within the cemetery, including seven that are large brick structures.

The cemetery was initially discovered in July 2007, when it was excavated by local authorities and the Xinjiang Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology. The findings were initially published in the journal Wenwu.

Carvings of mythical creatures were discovered in one tomb, known as “M3.” The carvings depict four distinct seasons and portions of the heavens, including the Vermilion Bird of the South, the Black Turtle of the North, the Azure Dragon of the East and the White Tiger of the West.

Researchers indicated in a recent report, published in English in the journal Chinese Cultural Relics, that M3 also “consists of a burial mound, ramp, sealed gate, tomb entrance, screen walls, passage, burial chamber and side chamber.”

The identities of those buried in the tombs remains uncertain. Although researchers suggest that the large brick tombs were most likely built for the wealthy, an analysis of skeletal remains suggests that the tombs were reused many times and in some cases contained 10 or more individuals.

Researchers believe that Kucha helped control China’s Western Frontiers, explaining that, “In ancient times, Kucha was called Qiuci in Chinese literature. It was a powerful city-state in the oasis of the Western Frontiers.”

According to travelguidechina.com, because silk comprised a large proportion of trade along this road, in 1877, it was named ‘the Silk Road’ by Ferdinand von Richthofen, an eminent German geographer.