Chinese archaeologists began on Sunday to excavate two of the tombs at a recently discovered Western Zhou (1046 BC–771 BC) burial ground in northern China's Shaanxi Province. They hope to uncover additional relics to confirm existing hypotheses and reveal new clues about the ancient dynasty.
 

The burial ground is located on Fenghuang Mountain, about seven kilometers north of Qishan County. It was first discovered late last year, and in February archaeologists from Beijing and Shaanxi made a trial dig. The State Cultural Relics Administration approved the excavation of the area on September 16.

The first tomb selected for excavation was No. 32, which exploratory digs showed had been plundered and had been seriously damaged. On Sunday, the preparation of Nos. 18 and 35 was complete and digging commenced.

"This is the first time we are opening Western Zhou tombs that have four tunnels, which indicates that they belong to high-ranking officials of the period. Their occupants may be the kings of the Western Zhou," said Zhang Tinghao, director of the Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Administration.

These two tombs were chosen because they appear to be good representatives of all the tombs in the area, and because the physical conditions are satisfactory for excavation, said Zhang.

"We have discovered 22 large tombs in the cemetery, 10 of which have four tunnels. We know that these are the highest class of tombs in the Western Zhou Dynasty. We have also unearthed about 700 tortoiseshells inscribed with Chinese characters, and some building ruins," said Wang Zhankui, head of the excavation team that has been investigating the site since February.

Another 14 pits, believed to be the burial places of royal attendants, were also found at the site.

The excavation of both tombs is expected to be complete around Spring Festival, the lunar New Year, which falls in early February 2005. Scientists expect to know within about two months whether they have escaped the attentions tomb robbers over the millennia.

China's original feudal government and traditional cultural systems were formed during the Western Zhou Dynasty. However, because artifacts from the period remain relatively rare, the discovery of the burial ground created a stir among Chinese archaeologists and historians. Leading experts are calling it a find of great significance.

"However, we cannot confirm that we will unearth anything significant from the tombs. It is very common for ancient tombs to be robbed, so we must work carefully and calmly," said Wang.

(China Daily October 19, 2004)