SHIJIAZHUANG - (Xinhua) An epitaph dating from the Song Dynasty (960 to 1279) has been unearthed in Wu'an, north China 's Hebei Province, local authorities announced.

The epitaph, which dates back to 1126 AD, was found in Dongchang Village of Kangarcheng Township, with a history of 896 years. Experts said the epitaph is for a local official named Meng Xiao.

The epitaph is 0.88 meters long, 0.56 meters wide, and 0.2 meters thick, and is made of blue stone.

According to the city's Institute for the Protection and Management of Cultural Relics, the peripheral lines are inscribed with lotus flowers and other flowers.

The epitaph chronicles Meng's career from the beginning of his official career to his old age.

Jia Mingtian, an employee of the institute, said the epitaph is of high value for the study of society, politics, economy and calligraphy during the late Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127)./Nha