Construction workers in China were shocked to discover a centuries-old coffin containing a well-preserved male corpse. 

The man is thought to have died sometime during the Ming (1368 to 1644 AD) or Qing (1644 to 1912) dynasties. 

It was unearthed in Zhizhu village, Anhua County in China's Hunan province. The body was dressed in fine fabrics and laid to rest what is thought to be his favourite fan. 

Limestone and fine wood was used to build his coffin. 

China's State Administration of Cultural Heritage say they believe the man was a noble or at least came from a rich background. According to officials, the burial site was accidentally unearthed by an excavator. 

The body was well preserved. It has since been removed from the site and will be studied. 

Construction at the work site has since been halted and the cultural heritage administration may even ask the firm to suspend works indefinitely. 

Officials have not commented on whether they have traced any of the man's living descendants, despite being able to identify his family name as well as the location he was buried.