Historic mausoleum's story of love, exile, life and death

Remains testify to a battle for power that lasted for nearly 30 years

Asked to name one particular funerary object he remembers most clearly, Sun Xianbao, who took part in excavating the Dingling Mausoleum in Beijing 60 years ago, cites a pair of jade rabbit earrings.

The rabbits, set in gold and with ruby stones as their eyes, once dangled from the ears of Empress Xiaojing - when she was buried in 1603. Married to Emperor Wanli, she had the good fortune to give birth to a son who ultimately succeeded his father, but the misfortune to fall out of the emperor's favor after their fleeting relationship.