There is a poem in ancient times: "Singing the autumn grave is not resting, and the spring bush recognizes the amphibian butterfly." "In our culture, tombs are a very important ritual. From the Son of Heaven down to the people, any family is following this custom, but there are differences in specifications according to different identities. For archaeology, this is also a major way of discovering history. At the same time, in addition to those precious cultural relics, some very surprising phenomena may also be found.
In 2011, the cultural relics protection department in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, suddenly received a report from villagers that a passageway suspected of being a robbery hole appeared. For archaeology, the appearance of tomb robbers means the tragedy of an ancient tomb, which can be described as a huge loss. So, the experts rushed to the scene without hesitation.
It happened on a mountain range in Wulian Village, where a quaint cemetery sits. With a desire to protect monuments, the mausoleums that have been sealed under this land have not been developed. But now, under the influence of tomb robbers, it is necessary to start rescue excavations. In December, the archaeological team immediately began a full range of work.
Sure enough, the tomb has been looted many times and is badly damaged. But there were still some things that surprised the players, such as the huge coffin. This is a huge lacquered wooden coffin with a length of more than 2 meters, and its preciousness is that in addition to exquisite craftsmanship, it is made of gold silk nan wood throughout.
According to the "Museum Essentials", the golden silk nan wood is the most excellent material in ancient architecture. In ancient times, this was a precious building material that only the royal family could use, and in 1413, Ming Chengzu's Ling'en Hall used 60 golden silk nan wooden pillars. And the giant coffin in this tomb is undoubtedly no less than the degree of the royal family, and the heavy coffin board alone can be worth at least 100 million at the current price.
At the same time, experts also learned the identity of the owner of the tomb from the epitaph. This is the resting place of Shi Songzhi, the right minister of the Southern Song Dynasty, a talented but controversial figure. Born in 1189, he had ambitions to make a career as a young man. In 1220, he was admitted as a jinshi, and with a diligent attitude, he showed extraordinary talent and vision in government affairs, but at the same time he also reflected his ambition for power.
With excellent ability and determination to complete the work at all costs, Shi Songzhi was promoted rapidly in the official arena. Ten years of operation in Xiangyang City, he not only reflected his talent, but also embodied his unique wisdom for border wars. Even though many people disliked his character and ambitions, the emperor still resolutely worshipped him in 1240 to comfort him for his exploits in Xiangyang.
But it is a pity that power finally made Shi Songzhi lose his mind. Once he had great ambitions, he showed his fists in the land of Xiangyang. But when the life of the right minister came, the pleasure of his ambition being satisfied made him forget. First, he refused to fulfill his filial piety for the sake of power, and then he advocated peace in the face of the war situation, and invisibly he committed the taboo of being a subject. In the end, according to the "History of Song", he ushered in a 13-year life of dismissal, and ended in 1257.
The giant coffin in the mausoleum is undoubtedly Song Lizong's gratitude for the meritorious deeds of this former minister. Paved with gold silk nan wood, this can be described as the highest courtesy. Although the tomb has been looted by tomb robbers, the residual harvest is still very precious. Whether it is silk and other cultural relics or this coffin, it has a very high significance, and the epitaph directly fills a gap in history. For archaeology, this is indeed a blessing in disguise.