GUIYANG, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Archaeologists say 49 tombs found years ago in southwest China's Guizhou Province are likely to belong to a minority that has disappeared in modern times.

The tombs, found in 2011 in the village of Yangjiazhai in Nayong County, dated back to the mid to late Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), archaeologists with the provincial cultural relics and archaeological institute said.

A total of 92 sets of artifacts have so far been excavated, mainly jewelry and decoration such as head bands, earrings, beads and buttons.

The pattern and design of the artifacts are different from those found in the tombs of ethnic Han or other minorities.

Experts say the tombs might belong to a minority that used to live near the Nayong River but had no records in local chronicles.