Chinese archaeologists have discovered over 290 tombs, some of
which date back 1,800 years, in Yanqing County, on the northern
outskirts of Beijing.
Most of the tombs were built in the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD)
or Tang Dynasty (618-907). Others are believed to belong to the Jin
(317-581), Yuan (1271-1368), Ming (1368-1644) and Qing dynasties
(1644-1911).
All the tombs, covering an area of 44,000 square meters, had
underground chambers built of brick but the shape of their ceilings
were unique to their dynasties.
The excavation was conducted by the Beijing Archaeological
Research Institute from July to October in order to preserve the
ancient relics in the area, where construction of living quarters
is scheduled to start by the end of 2007.
The archaeologists also unearthed 870 historical artifacts,
including pottery utensils, china objects, bronze basins, iron
items, stone articles, and jade ornaments, said Zhang Shiqun, an
expert with the institute.
The unearthed funeral objects will be sent to museums and the
tombs will be circled in a protection zone outside the construction
project, Zhang said.
The most valuable discovery is that chamber walls of the Tang
tombs were decorated with carved bricks that pattern windows,
doors, pillars, lanterns, and even a colored fresco representing a
beautiful woman, according to Zhang.
The delicate brick carving shows that the Tang tomb owners were
members of noble families, he said.
The artifacts will provide valuable clues for the study of how
people lived as well as funeral customs of the different eras, the
expert added. Research is continuing on the tombs and artifacts and
there are no plans at present to display them to the public.
(Xinhua News Agency November 13, 2007)
