Occupant of Western Han Dynasty tomb in Jiangxi confirmed

A press conference is held in Beijing to release the archaeological findings and the identity of the occupant of an ancient Haihunhou tomb, March 2, 2016. [Photo by Lei Xiaoxun/China Daily]

The identity of the occupant of a prominent ancient royal tomb has been confirmed, archeologists said at a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday.

Archaeologists said the tomb in East China's Jiangxi province dating to the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 24), belongs to Liu He, the first of the four generations to hold the title Marquis Haihun.

Liu's remains are inside the inner coffin of the main chamber, where archaeologists said a personal jade seal with his name was found. It has helped identify its master as the Marquis of Haihun, who had a short-lived reign of 27 days as an emperor of Western Han Dynasty.

The jade's base is inscribed with the seal characters of "Liu He", the name of the Marquis of Haihun, who was also the grandson of Emperor Wu, whose reign ushered in one of the most prosperous periods in China's history.

After a five-year study, Haihunhou's tomb is considered to be the best-preserved royal tomb of the West Han Dynasty ever discovered in China. It has the most complete structure, the clearest layout as well as the most complete ritual system by far.

The archaeological discovery is of great significance, which helps understand social, economic and cultural status in the Western Han Dynasty, and even the development of music, transportation, metrology, and the evolution of Chinese characters and arts, archaeologists said.

More than 400 artifacts, selected from 20,000 items unearthed from the tomb, are on display at the Capital Museum in Beijing from today to June 2.

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