Two imperial edicts written on silk scrolls 540 years ago and 472 years ago in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) have been discovered in a villager's home in North China's Hebei province.

The imperial edicts, order or comment from emperors, are a family heirloom belonging to 80-year-old Cui Xibo, who showed them to researchers and archaeologists on Monday as local authorities conducted an archaeological survey in Guangzong county.

One of the edicts, issued in the 11th year of Emperor Chenghua's reign, is 3.42 meters long and 33 centimeters wide and has 412 words, in which the emperor praised Cui's ancestor Cui Gong, the personnel minister at that time, for his hard work and diligence.

The second, issued in the 22nd year of Emperor Jiajing's reign, is four meters long and 33 centimeters wide. In the 374 words of text, Cui Yue, grandson of Cui Gong and also an official, was promoted by the emperor.

"The two imperial edicts share similar design and texture, and they will help us research how officials were appointed and promoted in the Ming Dynasty," said local historian Gu Huachi.

The family treasures were handed down to the first son in each generation of Cui's family. "I'll keep handing them down. They record the great achievements of our ancestors and can encourage our offspring," Cui Xibo said.