Ancient tomb excavations take place all over the world , offering a glimpse into the past. Archeologists are able to learn a great deal from the tomb goodies and preserved bodies left behind by royalty, warriors, and ancient people. In this article, you will learn about the recent findings in China and Vietnam.
Ancient Tomb in China
Constructed more than 2,000 years ago, the ancient capital of Xi’an is home to a tomb that provides a link back to the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC to AD 24). Chinese archeologists have revealed this month that they are excavating the tomb, which was found in a southern suburb of the city. Today, this site is known as the capital of Northwest China’s Shaanxi province.
The tomb part of the family cemetery of Western Han general Zhang Anshi, and was the only one of its kind (out of 14) that had not robbed. Ding Yan, a research assistant of the Shaanxi provincial institute of archaeology and head of the tomb archaeological excavation site, believes that the tomb may belong to the daughter-in-law of the general.
In taking a look back at historical records, Zhang Anshi played a role in the reign of three emperors belonging to the Western Han Dynasty. During his lifetime, he had three sons. Zhang Yanshou was his second son and was acknowledged by the emperor, which translated into receiving a rank of nobility.
The cemetery where the tomb was found is located on a piece of land that measures about 61,600 sq m. The first time that the existence of the cemetery came to light was when it was discovered in 2007 as the city made plans to develop an industrial park.
Ancient Tombs in Vietnam
Situated 2 m below the ground, building employees in Vietnam have come across a tomb that has caught the eye of archeologists. When professionals arrived on the scene to excavate the site, they learned that a second smaller tomb also existed. The tomb is estimated to date back to the 4th to 6th century. Within days of excavating the site, archeologists uncovered a handful of artifacts, including earthenware bowls, dishes, jars and pots.
Bricks were used to build the tombs and did not use cement during the construction process. The larger tomb displayed bricks that were round in design, while the smaller structure used a pattern that resembled the shape of a fishbone. Elaborate pictograms were found on the bricks that were believed to identify the builder. Archeologists will be able to gain a wealth of information regarding the time period by studying the brick-building process and techniques used to construct the tombs.
The excavation of the site would continue on into the future, but the prospect of uncovering human remains would probably not be possible. They would have already become decayed over time. Building at the site will resume once the area was been fully excavated.
