The 5,000-year-old jade dragon is believed to be linked to the Hongshan culture

AN ANCIENT jade dragon has recently been discovered buried in a stone tomb deep in the mountains of Mongolia.

The 5,000-year-old statue was discovered by archaeologists excavating an ancient burial site in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region.

The palm-sized, jade dragon was one of 100 jade relics to be discovered - however the ancient statue carving is the largest to have ever been discovered.

The carved jade dragon statue measured more than 6 inches long, roughly 4 inches wide and about 1 inch thick.

The ancient dragon features differ significantly from modern-day depictions of dragons, and was described as "chubby, pig-headed" dragon by China Daily.

Excavations at the unique ancient tomb at Yuanbaoshan archaeological site also unearthed ruins, human remains and pottery, linking it to the Hongshan culture Chinese officials said.

The find sheds new light on the rich jade tradition of the ancient culture, which thrived between 6500 and 5000 years ago in northern China.

The Hongshan culture, known for its jade objects, including dragons and other ritual items, holds an essential place in the early history of Chinese civilization.

The excavation also revealed jade crown ornaments linked to the Lingjiatan culture, indicating long-distance exchanges between the two cultures.

Other jade artefacts discovered included ceremonial tools and ornaments.

The ancient tools are thought to have been part of elaborate burial practices..

So far, more than 1,100 Hongshan sites have been discovered in southeastern Inner Mongolia.

It comes after a mysterious ancient throne linked to an ancient civilisation dubbed the "Greeks of the Andes" was recently discovered in Peru.

Archaeologists have discovered a mysterious throne and murals in Peru, and the discovery indicates a powerful female rule reigned supreme 1,300 years ago.

Researchers found an ancient throne room decorated with powerful women intertwined with sea creatures and representations of a crescent moon sitting on the throne receiving guests.

The woman depicted in the throne murals is associated with symbols of the crescent moon, the sea and its creatures, and the arts of spinning and weaving.

The discoveries were made at the Panamarca site near the Pacific coast.

The site is located more than 250 miles north of the Peruvian capital Lima.

essica Ortiz, research director for the project at the Panamarca archaeological site on Peru's northwest coast, said the ancient murals "could indicate it was a woman who used the space, possibly a ruler."

Archaeologist Jose Ochatoma said: "The most exciting thing is the traces of wear."

Archaeologists believe the throne room dates from the 7th century, when the Moche culture occupied the coastal valleys of northwestern Peru.