Archaeologists in northwest China's Shaanxi
Province have discovered an ancient tomb, possibly of a coin
collector, dating back more than 600 years.
During a recent excavation at a Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) tomb in
the suburb of Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi, archaeologists found over
150 coins of different dynasties, together with 60 ceramic
utensils.
Twenty kinds of coins were in circulation in the dynasties of
Tang (618-907), Song (960-1279) and Jin (1115-1234), spanning about
600 years. They might have been collected by the owner of the tomb
who was interested in ancient coins, archaeologists reckoned.
A dozen pottery servants and some pottery livestock and poultry
were also found in the tomb. The 40-cm-high servants have clear
facial features and carry vivid expressions, showing better craft
than in previous dynasties.
All the unearthed items are in good condition as the tomb was
well preserved, said archaeologists.
Archaeologists have also unearthed 259 Wuzhu coins, the common
currency in wide circulation during the Han Dynasty (206BC-AD220),
in a recent excavation in Pingli County of the history-laden
Shaanxi Province.
(Xinhua News Agency January 16, 2006)
