Ancient tomb found in Guangzhou
(Shenzhen Daily)
Updated: 2005-04-12 09:24

Archeologists hope a recently discovered Guangzhou tomb will tell them more about South China's history.

Builders uncovered the 2,100-year-old tomb in Zengcheng City, Guangzhou at the end of last month and archeologists immediately stepped in to investigate the significant discovery.

Historians say the find has already pushed the city's beginnings back 300 years. The Western Han Dynasty (206 B.C. - 23 A.D.) tomb had a wooden outer coffin saved for ancient Chinese royalty and is said to be the oldest and largest tomb of the kind in Zengcheng.

The tomb site is a small hill called "Golden Rooster Sends Treasure," said a villager surnamed Wu. The meaning of the name had not occurred to villagers until the tomb was found.

Villagers said there were ancient stories about the hill's value.

"There are treasures in the hill and whoever possesses them can support thousands of troops," said villagers.

High-voltage tower construction workers dug dozens of kilograms of patterned copper fragments out of the hill years ago, villagers said.

Police sealed and are patrolling in the area to protect it from thieves.

A thief stole a three-leg porcelain cooking vessel from the tomb, but it was soon recovered by police.

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