The question of how to verify the authenticity of historic remains believed to be that of Chinese warlord Cao Cao remains unanswered even after DNA tests were considered but were not done because they were deemed useless.

The remains, excavated since 2008 in Anyang, Central China's Henan Province, are a source of intrigue.

A large tomb complex with 1800 years of history was dug up in 2008, and officials from the cultural relics administration of Henan Province said Sunday that the tomb most likely belonged to Cao Cao because the words "King Wu of Wei," which some believe to be Cao's title, were found among the markers. Some bones were also found in that tomb.

The position of the tomb is in line with historical recordings and ancient books from Cao Cao's time, the report said.

While the location of Cao's tomb is still a mystery, that of his son, Cao Zhi, triggers less controversy. There are four to five tombs believed to belong to Cao Zhi, and scholars believe in the authenticity of the one found in Yushan, Shandong Province in 1951.

Many archaeologists and Internet users expressed doubt at the announcement of Anyang tomb to be Cao Cao's.

Some of them suggested they compare the DNA with the bones found in Anyang, with that of his son.