Tomb of Marquess of Haihun, Archaeological tomb site in Jiangxi, China
The Tomb of Marquess of Haihun is an archaeological site in Jiangxi that consists of several underground chambers and ceremonial buildings from the Western Han Dynasty. The central burial chambers are surrounded by additional burial rooms equipped with wooden structures and earthen walls.
The burial complex was constructed in 92 BCE for Liu He, a former emperor who received the title of Marquis after his removal from power. The site remained hidden beneath farmland until its discovery in the early 21st century and has since provided information about the political upheavals of the Han era.
The burial chamber preserves a large collection of musical instruments, including bells and stone chimes, that offer insight into courtly ceremonies of the Western Han period. Visitors also see tablets with religious inscriptions and sacrificial vessels that show how noble families prepared for the afterlife transition.
Visitors should wear sturdy footwear as the paths extend across the sprawling grounds and some areas feature uneven surfaces. The museum next to the excavation site displays the objects in climate-controlled rooms with labeled display cases in Chinese and English.
Researchers found an unknown version of the Analects of Confucius inside the chambers, which had been considered lost for nearly two millennia. The texts were written on bamboo strips and reveal philosophical discussions that no longer appear in later editions.
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