Newly unearthed relics in a tomb in Dulan county in China’s northwestern province of Qinghai showed the area’s importance as a trade hub along the Silk Road, an ancient trade route connecting Europe and China. The relics were believed to be from the 8th century, or the middle of the Tang dynasty. Emergency excavations were started at the site in 2018 after 646 relics were stolen from the tomb. The archaeological team has since discovered more than 1,000 pieces in Xuewei Tomb No 1.