Archaeologists have excavated 12 ancient tombs dating back to the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) in Jinan, in east China's Shandong Province, the local archeology institute said Wednesday. 

The tomb cluster, which includes 11 tombs with exquisitely carved brick murals and one tomb with a stone chamber, was unearthed in the eastern suburbs of the provincial capital, said the institute's director Li Ming. 

The carved brick murals were created using chisels and wooden hammers to make patterns in the bricks. 

Written evidence found at the site suggests the tombs belonged to a family surnamed Guo in the late Yuan Dynasty, according to Li, noting this was the largest cluster of Yuan Dynasty brick mural tombs unearthed in the province.

"The tombs were arranged in an orderly and apparently planned way, and some of the owners were related by blood, providing new material for the study of the arrangement of family cemeteries in the Yuan Dynasty," Li said. 

Over 60 pieces of pottery and porcelain ware, bronze mirrors, copper coins and other cultural relics were unearthed during the excavation, which began on April 23. The findings will help the study of porcelain during the Yuan Dynasty in the region and surrounding areas. 

(With input from Xinhua)