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Researchers have uncovered a treasure-laden coffin hidden among China's epic army of terracotta warriors.

Analysis is now being carried out on the 16-tonne casket to determine whether it was the final resting place of Prince Gao, a child of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang.

The tomb is among nine that were discovered in 2011, guarded by thousands of terracotta soldiers.

Though excavation is normally not allowed, archaeologists started digging after it became clear the tomb was at risk of rain damage.

The coffin and its priceless treasures appeared not to have been looted by grave robbers, but was considerably decayed.

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Various artefacts were also unearthed inside the tomb including armour and weapons, as well as 6,000 bronze coins and jade, The Times reported.

The team also found a pair of gold and silver camels as well as utensils and crockery to be used in the afterlife.

Experts say the grand manner of his burial suggests he was a notable warrior.

According to the Shiji, an ancient Chinese history and epic drama written by Sima Qian, after the first emperor died, his youngest son Hu Hai became ruler.

After killing most of his brothers and sisters, the legend describes Hu Hai’s brother, Prince Gao, considering whether to flee from the bloodshed.

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But Prince Gao realised that his family would be hounded as a result, and confronted Hu Hai, telling him that he had let their father down by not joining him in death.

He is then said to have requested to die and be laid to rest in Qin Shi Huang’s mausoleum.

Speaking to the Telegraph, Hui Ming Tak Ted, a historian of the Qin dynasty and associate professor at Oxford University said the excavation offers an exciting opportunity to examine the

historicity of the legend.

“For the first time in 2,000 years, we have a chance to figure out if what Sima Qian wrote is correct,” he said.

Tests are being done in bid to to narrow down whose burial site it is.

Jiang Wenxiao, the excavation leader, said: “After the first emperor died, his sons all came to a bad end, so I’m still more inclined to believe that this tomb belongs to a high-ranking

nobleman or army chief."

“The tomb was so precisely built. So deep, so large in scale," he added. "Most ancient tombs have been robbed so we didn’t have much hope for the coffin chamber. But it turned out it hadn’t

been robbed. We were amazed.”

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