A family in Chaoyang county, Liaoning province, has lived over an ancient tomb that is listed as a key national cultural relics protection unit for more than 30 years, Liaoshen Evening News reported.

In 1982, local resident Wei Hongxi discovered the tomb when he was digging a cellar to store vegetables. The local relics protection department found human teeth, ribs and frescos in the tomb, and confirmed it was from the Eastern Jin Dynasty (AD 317—420).

To protect the tomb, the Wei family dare not repair their dilapidated house or water the vegetables in their courtyard. They also need to be alert to prevent tomb items from being stolen.

The local relics protection department said that due to technical and funding problems, it will have to fill in the tomb and leave it under the Wei's house.