148 Ancient Tombs and Artifacts Discovered in Guangdong Zoo

JAKARTA – Hundreds ancient tomb complete with a number of centuries-old artifacts found beneath the Guangdong zoo, China . This discovery is part of an excavation that began in 1956.

Between April and July this year, archaeologists from the Guangzhou Municipal Institute of Cultural Heritage and Archaeology discovered 148 tombs dating back thousands of years in an area of ​​13,993 square feet.

Of the 148 tombs, the oldest date from the Han Dynasty (206 BCE to 220 CE) and the youngest from the years after the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Eight tombs date from the Jin and Southern Dynasties (265 CE to 589 CE), 15 from the Tang Dynasty (618 CE to 907 CE), 121 from the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368 CE to 1911 CE), and 48 from the founding period of the People’s Republic of China.

Along with the ancient tomb, researchers also discovered 196 artifacts, including pottery, porcelain, bronze items, jade items and beaded ornaments.

“The discovery of these two tombs is of great significance for the study of burial forms, stages, and burial customs during the Six Dynasties (222-589) in Guangzhou, as well as for research on construction technology during the Jin and Southern Dynasties architecture,” said Cheng Hao, an official from the Guangzhou Municipal Institute of Cultural Heritage and Archaeology, as reported by All That’s Interesting, Thursday (12/9/2024).

Of the 148 tombs found at the Guangdong Zoo, two have caught the attention of researchers. One tomb, from the Eastern Jin Dynasty, is large and ornate. It is more than 32 feet long and in remarkable condition for being more than 1,700 years old.

With no major damage other than a small hole above the sealing door made by grave robbers, this tomb is the largest and finest Eastern Jin Dynasty tomb discovered in Guangzhou.

The second important tomb is a smaller tomb dating from the Southern Dynasty. Researchers believe it is for a married couple. Like the Jin Dynasty tomb, it was looted but is in remarkable condition for its age.