Archaeologists unveil a fancy carriage at cemetery

Archaeologists at the archaeology research institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences have unveiled the details of a deluxe carriage unearthed in a burial site dating to the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770-256 BC) in Hebei province.

The carriage is 142.5 centimeters wide, 106 cm long and has two wheels 140 cm in diameter with 38 spokes each. It is large for carriages from before the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC), said Li Cunxin, an associate researcher.

The archaeologists also found many exquisite patterns painted on the surface of the carriage and a pair of embedded beast-shaped metal badges with gold foil decorations stuck to them. They are still shiny even after being underground for such a long time, they said.

Researchers speculated that the occupant of the burial site ranked high in the social pecking order and could be a tribal leader.

The archaeological team is currently recording the details of the carriage using various technologies. Later, it will be fully restored.