WUHAN, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese archeologists said Tuesday they have confirmed a large relic site in the central province of Hubei to be a bronze smelting center of the Zeng State dating back more than 2,500 years.

With a total area of 2.3 million square meters, the Sujialong site in Jingshan County comprises tombs, residence and smelting relics of the Zeng during the Western and Eastern Zhou dynasties (1,046-256 B.C.).

"This was a major place for the transport of bronze materials," said Fang Qin, head of the Hubei Cultural Relics and Archaeology Institute.

Two graves were believed to belong to Zeng Boqi, the local ruler, and his wife, said Fang.

A bronze smelting furnace was also unearthed at the site.

The Sujialong site was put on the list of the six major archeological discoveries of 2017 by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

"The large-scale bronze smelting relics are of importance for the study of the Zhou dynasty and its management of southern mineral resources," said Fang.