The tomb is located in central Henan province, not far from the Yellow River and near the city of Anyang, where Cao Cao ruled the Kingdom of Wei from 208 to 220, when he died at age 65. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

BEIJING - CHINESE archaeologists believe they have found a nearly 1,800-year-old tomb belonging to the legendary ruler Cao Cao, who was known as a cruel tyrant but also a cunning military strategist and poet.

The tomb is located in central Henan province, not far from the Yellow River and near the city of Anyang, where Cao Cao ruled the Kingdom of Wei from 208 to 220, when he died at age 65, the state China Daily reported Monday.

'Excavation has been going on for nearly one year, and we'll come up with further evidence,' the paper quoted Guan Qiang of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage as saying.

'But even based on what we've got, we can tell for sure that the mausoleum belongs to Cao Cao.' Numerous articles found in the tomb are inscribed as 'personal belongings frequently used by the King Wu of Wei', Cao Cao's posthumous title, it said.

Archaeologists have found the remains of three people in the tomb - a male around 60 years of age, believed to be Cao Cao, a female of about 50 and a second woman between 20 and 25, thought to be the king's wife and escort.

The tomb was discovered about a year ago, but only became known to authorities after stone tablets carrying inscriptions of 'King Wu of Wei' were seized from alleged tomb raiders, the report said. So far archaeologists have recovered over 250 relics from the tomb which covers an area of 740 square metres (8,000 square feet), an area befitting a burial plot for someone of Cao Cao's stature, it said. -- AFP