Latest finding seals ownership of 2,000-yr-old Chinese tomb

Relics inside the main coffin in the 2,000-year-old tomb of Haihunhou (Marquis of Haihun) will likely reveal the occupant's identity, according to archaeologists working at the site.

A turtle-shaped jade stamp unearthed from the tomb in the Haihunhou 
(Marquis of Haihun) cemetery, east China's Jiangxi Province 
[Credit: Xinhua]

The Haihunhou cemetery near Nanchang City, capital of east China's Jiangxi Province, is the most complete known Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - 24 AD) cemetery.

It covers some 40,000 square meters with eight tombs and a chariot burial site, with walls that stretch for almost 900 meters.

Researchers are excavating the main tomb, which is thought to belong to Liu He, grandson of Emperor Wu.

A sword with jade ornament at the excavation site of the tomb in the Haihunhou 
(Marquis of Haihun) cemetery, east China's Jiangxi Province 
[Credit: Xinhua]

Three jade sword ornaments were found, entwined with gold, on the coffin. "The swords may be the last thing to put into the tomb, as a ritual, when they buried the dead," said Xu Changqing, director of Jiangxi cultural relics institute.

Yang Jun, leader of the excavation team, believes that the swords may have been worn by the owner when he paid respects to the emperor.

Archaeologists claim that there are many well-preserved relics inside the main coffin and are considering moving the coffin into the laboratory for further research. The work will be conducted in hypoxic conditions with archaeologists using oxygen equipment, Yang told Xinhua.

The excavation site of main chamber of the tomb in the Haihunhou 
(Marquis of Haihun) cemetery, east China's Jiangxi Province 
[Credit: Xinhua]

The excavation process is estimated to take more than ten days. "We are waiting for instructions from the State Administration of Cultural Heritage," said archaeologist Xin Lixiang.

Since 2011 when excavation began, more than 20,000 artifacts have been unearthed, including a portrait of Confucius, nearly 3,000 wooden tablets and bamboo slips and a large number of bronze, gold and jade items.

Author: Wan Xiang | Source: Xinhua Net [December 16, 2015]