Ancient love uncovered? Scientists reveal contents of Chinese general's tomb.
Archaeologists in China have uncovered the聽remains of Zhao Xin, a general of the Northern Qi Dynasty, and his wife in a tomb that has lain untouched for 1,500 years.
The tomb of the ancient couple, which also includes more than 100 colored figurines, became the highlight of this recent archaeological discovery. While the findings were originally described in 2015, a recent English translation of the article in the journal Chinese Cultural Relics helped to highlight the significance of this unusual discovery, LiveScience reports.
" in this tomb are comprised of a total of 105 items, mostly pottery figurines," the archaeologists wrote.
, the grave goods were mostly ceramic figurines, featuring warriors and drummers. Other representations include a camel, an ox, and an eternal guard. The tallest one stands at about 22 inches.
A sandstone inscription, detailing the life and the reasons behind the location of the burial, was also found in the cemetery, which was excavated by the archaeologists between August 2012 and June 2013.
Though the reason why the couple was buried together is still unknown, the inscription says they were buried on March 18, 564, 鈥渙n the 20th day of the second moon of the third year of the Heqing period.鈥�
Zhao Xin, who served the rulers of the dynasty, helped to control part of northern China from 550 to 577 as a general of a garrison of soldiers and at times a governor in different parts of China. Zhao鈥檚 accomplishments included leading his garrison to victory in battle at a place called Huangniu Town, 鈥渄isposing the Yi barbarians,鈥� and 鈥渆xterminating the enemy鈥� as 1,000 men 鈥渓ost their souls鈥� and the public flocked to him, according to the translated inscription.
While not much was written about his wife, , the inscription commemorates her personality and integrity: 鈥淏y nature, she was modest and humble, and sincerity and filial piety were her roots. Her accommodating nature was clear, her behavior respectful and chaste,鈥� .
The burial location, near modern-day Taiyuan city in Shanxi Province, also underscored the importance of the couple. While buried on the 鈥渆astern foothills of the Xishan Mountains, on the west bank of the Fenhe River,鈥� the inscription suggested that it could have some symbolic value.
Some 69 more tombs were found near the cemetery, and a further analysis of the remains is under way.
China has seen some other important archaeological findings in recent years. Last October, historians and archeologists revealed that the Terracotta Army, the life-sized statues that were found in the tomb of China鈥檚 first emperor Qin Shi Huang, were likely inspired by ancient Greek sculptures and art. While 鈥渃alling into question the commonly held belief that Marco Polo was the first European to travel to Asia in 1300 AD,鈥� this discovery also suggested that this estimate may be off by more than 1,500 years, as 海角大神 noted at the time.
