Stunning Intact Ming Dynasty Tomb Discovered During New Road Construction in China (7 Photos)

Recently, very large-scale excavations were carried out in Shanxi Province in Northern China, during which archaeologists made many interesting discoveries. Ancient ruins and dozens of tombs from different eras were found.





One of them, dating back to the Ming Dynasty, was completely intact, which is very rare for this area, and the contents inside were preserved in excellent condition.



Stone gate to a rich Ming Dynasty tomb discovered in Xinzhou city

The work was carried out as part of a project to build a major highway passing near the city of Xinzhou. The archaeologists' task was to survey the area where the road would pass, which would help coordinate the route so that future work would not damage cultural and historical sites. The excavations in Shanxi Province were carried out by researchers from the Shanxi Institute of Cultural Relics and Archeology. But it was the site in Xinzhou that forced them to launch full-scale excavations.





Wooden coffins found in the main chamber inside the tomb

First, archaeologists found the remains of buildings from the Longshan period (2900-2100 BC), which were more than 4.5 thousand years old, as well as the remains of buildings from the so-called Warring States period (475-221 BC). The latter is known as an era of fragmentation and incessant wars that lasted several centuries until the unification of China by Emperor Qin Shi Huang in 221 BC. e. Scientists also discovered 66 ancient tombs dating back to the Han, Tang, Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. Almost all of them were not in the best condition. Most of them were plundered in ancient times, and the rest were poorly preserved for one reason or another. For Shanxi province, an intact and unlooted tomb is actually very rare and it is a great success to discover such a thing. And this time the archaeologists were really lucky; they found an absolutely intact tomb.



Porcelain vessels found in niches on the north and south sides of the main chamber

This was a Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) tomb. It was discovered on the western terrace of Hesitu Village in Xinfu District of Xinzhou. It was quite a large building. Its length was more than 25 meters and its width was about 20 meters. The entrance to the tomb was closed by massive stone doors imitating wood. Not all masters could do this, but only the most skilled ones, which already hints at the wealth of the person buried inside. Above the doors are stone slabs decorated with beautiful floral designs, and dragon heads were carved at each end of the roof. Experts estimate the age of the tomb at more than 430 years.



Colorful ornament of the smaller coffin

From the inside, the tomb consists of a main chamber, a smaller chamber and two niches, on the north and south sides. In these niches, archaeologists discovered entire porcelain vessels with remains of the contents inside: grain, black glaze, fat, etc.

In the main room there are two wooden coffins on the lids of which there were porcelain vessels and amulets. The large coffin with a simple diamond-shaped pattern was perfectly preserved. The smaller coffin is somewhat worse preserved, its top panel is rotten and collapsed, but it is decorated much brighter and more colorful than the first. It contains colorful images of flowers, plants and birds.



Back room with altar and expensive furniture

The back room was much smaller than the main chamber. It contained a wooden altar, chairs, tables, candlesticks, pewter plates and pots, incense burners and various writing utensils such as inkwells and brushes. All the furniture and other things, according to archaeologists, were quite expensive and rare, so that a very rich and status person could afford them. People usually bought this just to show their status.



Painted wooden chair found among other artifacts in the back room

Inside, there were several inscriptions on the walls of the tomb, thanks to which the researchers were able to find out who was buried here. On the northern wall next to the entrance there is an epitaph:

“Epitaph to the Ming Dynasty Prince Confucian Huan... Gongbaluo, whose polite name is Benyi, is also a nickname for Huan... Hou Xing Rongxian, clan member Those who borrow money to become prosperous should not be arrogant, and they should change their appearance and politeness when meeting people of all ages."

And next to it there was another inscription - a certificate of land purchase. After studying them, archaeologists found out that they were lucky to discover the tomb of Wang Luo, the famous eunuch of the Ming Dynasty from Xinzhou. Excavations in Shanxi province will continue, as there is a possibility that quite a few ancient tombs and structures are still hidden in this area. Well, the highway will probably have to be moved a little to the side.