In the bustling city of Linfen, located in North China’s Shanxi Province, a profound archaeological discovery has been made that provides an illuminating glimpse into China’s rich past. A whopping 215 tombs, tracing back from the Neolithic Age right up to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), were uncovered, revealing the depths of history that lie beneath this modern city.
An impressive array of nearly 1,400 funerary objects, ranging from bronze to pottery artifacts, has been unearthed. These tombs, spread across 348 historical sites, encapsulate various significant epochs in China’s timeline, including the Spring and Autumn Period (770BC-476BC), as well as periods from the Song (960-1279), Jin (1115-1234), and Qing dynasties.
Of particular interest are the fragmented relics that hark back to the Warring States Period (475BC-221BC). These remnants are adorned with intricate carvings and stamped texts of Chinese characters such as shi (city) and wang (king). Notably, certain characters relate to “Pingyang” – the ancient name for Linfen, home to the famous Yao Temple and Yao Mausoleum.
The extensive excavation process, which began in June 2020, was helmed by a team of skilled archaeologists from the Shanxi Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology and the Bureau of Culture and Tourism of Xiangfen. The revelations from these tombs could reshape our understanding of China’s ancient narratives.
In the annals of Chinese history, Emperor Yao is depicted as a mythical figure, reigning in an era before the existence of any written records. Traditionally, alongside Emperor Shun, Yao is lauded for his reign defined by morality and benevolence. Legend narrates that Yao initially resided in the neighboring Hebei province before moving south to establish his capital in Pingyang. While Yao’s existence has been a point of contention among historians, especially skeptics from the early 20th century, these newfound archaeological evidences might offer tangible proof, morphing legends into verifiable history.
Archaeologist Xue Ruiming encapsulated the significance of the discovery, emphasizing that if tangible evidence further substantiates the existence of ancient Pingyang, it would redefine the historical narratives surrounding Yao and Shun. He underscored the “historical continuity” exemplified by the tomb ruins, further pointing out the wealth of pottery artifacts synonymous with Linfen’s ancient sites.
In close proximity to these tombs lies the Taosi site, a historic gem that spans over 4,000 years. Recognized as a pivotal archaeological locus, the Taosi site forms part of China’s national initiative aimed at tracing the very origins of its civilization. Among the treasure trove of artifacts discovered there, a pottery plate adorned with intricate dragon motifs stands out, believed to have graced the tombs of ancient royalty. Furthermore, the unearthing of a sizable rammed earth structure identified as an ancient observatory underscores its significance – marking it as the sole observatory hailing from China’s prehistoric era ever found.
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