X-post from Tim 't Hart's EastAsianArch list.
With kind permission.

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Ancient tombs discovered in Sichuan

www.chinaview.cn 2006-04-12 15:22:39

CHENGDU, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese archaeologist have discovered a group
of 24 ancient tombs dating back to the dynasties of Eastern Han
(A.D.25-220), Tang (618-906) and Song (960-1279) in Chengdu, capital of
southwes t China's Sichuan Province.

The tombs were found at a 3,000-square meter construction site in Shuangliu
County.

Sixteen of the tombs were from the Eastern Han Dynasty and the earliest one
was believed to be built in A.D. 74 as indicated by the date on the bricks.
The other Han tombs were built in the following 200 years. Nine of the tombs
were built in the Tang and Song dynasties.

"Judging from the structure and brick patterns, we can conclude that all the
Han tombs unearthed belonged to the same noble family," said Li Guo, expert
with the county's archaeological research institute.

In one tomb archaeologists found a stone coffin, which was rarely used in
the Han Dynasty. In another tomb they found bricks engraved with dragons
that were used exclusively by the imperial family.

"We expect to find more articles as none of the tombs have been robbed," Li
said.

The archaeologists have so far carried out excavation on 11 of the 24
ancient tombs and have unearthed an abundant number historical relics.

Source:
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-04/12/content_4415767.htm

 

 

with kind regards,

Matthias Arnold (Art-Eastasia list)

http://www.chinaresource.org
http://www.fluktor.de

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