Final answer:
The ancient Chinese tombs are similar to other river valley civilizations' tombs in that they all used elaborate burial objects and shared a common belief in the afterlife, which is most closely aligned with option A, the belief in an afterlife being reflected in burial practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ancient Chinese tombs share similarities with archaeological discoveries from other river valley civilizations such as Mesopotamia, Indus Valley, and Egypt, particularly in the realm of funerary practices. The correct answer to how these tombs are similar is A) The use of elaborate burial objects and a belief in the afterlife is a common theme. These civilizations believed in an afterlife, and this is reflected in the elaborate burial objects found within their tombs, such as the tomb of Lady Fu Hao, which contained numerous grave goods including bronzes, jades, and possibly sacrificed individuals.
Comparatively, tombs from Mesopotamia, such as Pu-abi's tomb, also contained an extensive array of burial objects. Similarly, Egyptian tombs, especially for pharaohs, involved intricate grave goods and monumental architecture like the pyramids, designed to ensure the soul's survival in the afterlife. All these cultures placed importance on funerary items, sacrificial practices, and elaborate tombs, highlighting a cultural focus on the journey to the afterlife and the status of the individual in society.