In San Francisco, an exhibition is drawing hordes of visitors who are eager to get a glimpse at some Chinese artifacts from 2,000 years ago. 

Entitled "Tomb Treasures, New Discoveries from China's Han Dynasty", the show at the Asian Art Museum features more than 150 selections from recent excavations in ancient grave sites across China. Among the items on display are bronze bells, terra cotta figurines, bronze lamps, and a coffin fashioned from jade, the most revered precious stone in Chinese culture. 

The Han period is considered a golden era in Chinese history. Spanning over four centuries, from 206 BC to 220 AD, it largely corresponds with the late Roman Republic and the former half of the Roman Empire. 

Under the Han Empire, as China boasted a prosperous economy and stable frontiers, the imperial house and noble hierarchy developed a dazzling culture, including music, dance, and fine arts. Their concerns for comfort, luxury, and beauty extended to the afterlife as well. Down through the centuries, burials from the period have generated numerous archaeological discoveries. 

Since its opening last Friday, the show has caused quite a stir among local art lovers. It expects to inform and entertain more visitors until its conclusion in late May.