On December 5, 2023, a significant archaeological discovery was made within the Wulong District of Chongqing Municipality, positioned in Southwest China. A tomb relationship again to the Western Han Dynasty (202 BC-25 AD) was uncovered, remarkably well-preserved and containing a trove of priceless historic artifacts. This vital discover was introduced by the Chongqing Cultural Relics and Archaeology Analysis Institute.

The tomb’s discovery was half of a bigger archaeological venture, a rescue excavation and preservation initiative. This initiative was undertaken in collaboration with the Baima venture, which is related to the development of the final in a sequence of hydropower stations alongside the Wujiang River in Chongqing. The venture obtained the inexperienced mild from the Nationwide Cultural Heritage Administration and commenced in March of the identical yr.

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Archaeologists work at a tomb relationship again to the Western Han Dynasty (202 BC-25 AD). (Chongqing Cultural Relics and Archaeology Analysis Institute/ Xinhua News)

The Distinctive, Artifact Crammed, Han Dynasty Tomb

The excavation workforce, comprising over 20 consultants from numerous archaeology analysis institutes and universities, was led by Huang Wei. They unearthed a set of tombs spanning from the Han Dynasty period to the Six Dynasties interval.

Of specific significance was the tomb from the Western Han Dynasty, which stood out as a result of distinctive state of preservation and the wealth of artifacts discovered inside.

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Laquerware recovered unearthed from a tomb relationship again to the Western Han Dynasty (202 BC-25 AD) are seen in Wulong District of southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality. (Chongqing Cultural Relics and Archaeology Analysis Institute/ Xinhua News)

Greater than 600 cultural relics had been recovered from this tomb, together with objects corresponding to lacquerware, wooden ware, bamboo ware, pottery, and bronze ware. These artifacts present a window into the previous, providing insights into the every day life, artwork, and tradition of the period.

Probably the most outstanding points of this tomb is its year-round waterlogged situation, which has been essential in preserving the artifacts in an undisturbed state.

Among the many findings was an in depth checklist of burial objects, which included a exact file of the yr of burial, recognized as 193 BC. This checklist not solely catalogued the objects but in addition supplied details about their amount and dimension, shedding mild on the burial customs of the time.

Researchers delicately eradicating preserved waterlogged wood a part of the tomb. (Chongqing Cultural Relics and Archaeology Analysis Institute/ Xinhua News)

Han Dynasty Treasures

The presence of jade ware among the many unearthed objects signifies that the person buried on this tomb probably held a distinguished place in society. In line with Bai Jiujiang, the pinnacle of the Chongqing Cultural Relics and Archaeology Analysis Institute, this tomb is especially vital as a result of it comprises the most important amount of lacquered wooden and bamboo wares ever discovered at one time within the higher reaches of the Yangtze River. Moreover, it’s the earliest-known tomb from the Western Han Dynasty with a clearly recorded yr.

Certainly one of many lacquerware containers from the tomb. (Chongqing Cultural Relics and Archaeology Analysis Institute/ Xinhua News)

Opening Up the Previous

The findings from this tomb shall be invaluable for archaeologists and historians reconstructing the story of China’s previous, as they supply bodily proof and very important analysis supplies for future research on burial customs and the comparative evaluation of artifacts from the early Western Han Dynasty. The invention is a vital addition to our understanding of the traditional Qin and Han Dynasties within the Wujiang River Basin.

The excavation and its findings play a major function in increasing our information of historical Chinese language historical past and tradition. The artifacts and the tomb itself will undoubtedly contribute to ongoing research and exhibitions, shedding mild on a interval that formed a lot of China’s historic and cultural legacy.

Prime picture: Aerial picture taken on Dec. 5, 2023 displaying the archaeological web site of a tomb relationship again to the Western Han Dynasty (202 BC-25 AD) in Wulong District of southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality.     Supply: Chongqing Cultural Relics and Archaeology Analysis Institute/ Xinhua News

By Gary Manners