Six major archaeological discoveries in 2015
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E-mail China Daily, December 14, 2015
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A jade pendant was among the latest finds at the Haihunhou cemetery. [Photo/Xinhua] |
Dazzling finds from Haihunhou cemetery
Chinese archeologists started excavating a cemetery considered as the most complete Western Han Dynasty (206BC-25AD) tomb in the capital of southeastern China's Jiangxi province since 2011. As of now, more than 10,000 precious cultural relics were unearthed including gold items, bronze vessels, iron wares, jade articles, textiles, inscribed bamboo slips and tablets, as well as other items.
Archeologists suspected that the main tomb is that of Liu He, grandson of Emperor Wu, the greatest ruler of the Western Han Dynasty, one of the most prosperous periods in Chinese history. Liu was given the title "Haihunhou" after he was deposed as emperor after only 27 days, dethroned by the royal clan because of his lack of talent and morals. Haihun is the ancient name of a very small kingdom in the north of Jiangxi.
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An archaeologist measures the gold items at Haihunhou cemetery. Chinese archaeologists have discovered 75 gold coins and hoof-shaped ingots in the tomb. They are the largest single batch of gold items ever found in a Han Dynasty tomb. [Photo/Xinhua] |
Current important archaeological findings include a bronze pot containing chestnuts which may further prove the popularity of China' hot pot cuisine among ancient aristocrats, a lacquer screen with the earliest portrait of Confucius, a pair of goose-shaped bronze lamps that can "wallow"smoke, chimes as well as other musical instruments, Wuzhu coins, jade pendants and gold coins and hoof-shaped ingots.
The archaeological discovery of the coffin chamber in the cemetery is still ongoing. According to the archaeologists and history scholars, more important relics may be found in the following days.
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