Construction workers unearthed what experts believe to be the ruins of an ancient kingdom dating back to 201 BC in Southwest China, Chengdu Commercial Daily reported.

The workers discovered pieces of tiles, ceramic pots and jars in a dozen foundation pits at the construction site in Zitong county, Mianyang, Sichuan province.

Archaeologists from Mianyang arrived on Dec 14. They found two ancient tombs and relics from a brick kiln, and preliminary concluded that the ruins were from the Kingdom of Guanghan.

The Kingdom of Guanghan was established as the third state under the jurisdiction of Sichuan during the West Han Dynasty (206 BC — AD 24).

The earliest two states in Sichuan were the kingdoms of Ba (including today's Chongqing municipality) and Shu (including today's Chengdu, capital of Sichuan).

Song Jianmin, the leading archaeologist from the cultural heritage bureau in Mianyang, determined that a pattern of ancient coins on a brick found at the site was made during the Han Dynasty — further evidence that the ruins belonged to Guanghan Kingdom.

The case will be reported to Sichuan provincial authorities for approval to evacuate the relics. The findings will help advance studies on the culture and history of the region.