Mausoleum of Han dynasty’s third emperor located in China
Beijing, Dec 14 (EFE).- A large mausoleum located in the Chinese city of Xian has been identified as the last resting place of Emperor Wendi of the Han dynasty, ending centuries of mystery about the location of his tomb.
Wendi, or Liu Heng, the third emperor of a dynasty that ruled between 202 BC and 25 AD, became famous for his “frugality and benevolence” and in his more than two decades in power improved the economy and increased the population, according to state agency Xinhua.
The site is located in the town of Jiangcun, on the outskirts of Xian, an area excavated since 2017 where more than 100 ancient tombs and niches have also been found, in addition to more than 1,500 objects among which there are pottery figures, official bronze seals and bows.
Four ramps descend into the burial chamber, located between 27 and 30 meters deep underground and is about 74 meters long and 71 wide.
Ma Yongying, researcher at the Shaanxi Archeology Academy, said the structure and scale of the mausoleum are similar to those of two other well-known emperors of the same dynasty, adding that there are also historical documents that support the hypothesis of archaeologists.
This discovery rules out that Emperor Wendi’s tomb was hidden in the nearby area of ??Fenghuangzui, where a stone tablet with inscriptions was found that made speculations that there could be the grave of the leader.
The surroundings of Xian, where the famous Terracotta Army is located, are one of the main world archaeological research centers, as the area is one of the main cradles of Chinese civilization. EFE
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