Today, the State Administration of Cultural Heritage released the important progress and achievements of the archaeology and cultural relics protection of the Wuwangdun Tomb in Huainan, Anhui Province.
Progress of archaeological excavation of the coffin
The excavation of the four side chambers in the north and west (numbered North 1 and 2 respectively, and West 1 and 2 respectively) has been completed.
The excavation work of the first and second rooms in the east is underway, and more than 3,000 pieces (groups) of various cultural relics have been extracted, as well as a large number of animal and plant remains.
The first and second rooms of the north were seriously disturbed, and more than 600 pieces (groups) of utensils were still extracted, most of which were stringed instruments such as the qin, and the beams of the unearthed bell frame were preserved intact, and there were 14 hanging holes on them, which coincided with the number of bronze bells recovered.
Lacquer boxes, ear cups, plates, beans, drums, jade, Huang, Pei and a large number of copper arrows were unearthed in the first and second rooms of the south.
The relics of the first and second rooms of the west are mainly lacquered wooden figurines, and wooden carts, musical instruments and a small number of bamboo slips have also been found. There are more than 200 individuals in wooden figurines, divided into different postures such as standing posture and sitting posture, and some wooden figurines wear wooden swords.
The east room is mainly bronzes, and more than 150 pieces (groups) of bronzes are extracted at present, and the types of utensils include Ding, Gui, Bang, Dun, Fang, Pot, Ning, Bean, Jian, Kettle, Plate, Zun, etc., and the bronze ritual combination is preserved completely; Together with the bronzes, there are more than 100 pieces of lacquered wooden dining and banquet living utensils such as cases, figurines, boxes, and couches.
What kind of protection has been done for the unearthed cultural relics?
The research team built an atomization sprinkler system at the archaeological excavation site to effectively control the micro-environment in the coffin, and avoid the cracking and deformation of organic cultural relics such as coffin boards and lacquered wood due to the increase in temperature and water evaporation.
All kinds of cultural relics extracted into the room have taken emergency protection measures in time, and the samples of perishable organic matter cultural relics are stored in a low-oxygen sterilization chamber to control humidity and oxygen to slow down their deterioration.
A large number of extracted wooden figurines have been cleaned and moisturized, and the surface fabric of the garment figurines has been strengthened in situ using silk protein technology.
The lacquer ornamentation and patterns were extracted by curved micro-X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy to provide a scientific basis for subsequent restoration.
At the same time, through interdisciplinary and multi-platform collaboration, the research team systematically carried out the identification and residue analysis of animal and plant remains, among which more than 10 kinds of animals such as cattle, pigs and dogs were identified in animal bones, and melons and fruits such as gourds, melons, plums, chestnuts, crops such as millet, millet and rice, spice crops such as pepper and mallow were found, as well as the traditional Chinese medicine plant Evodia officinalis.
Cooperate with archaeological work
These security measures are also indispensable
In line with the needs of archaeological work, the expansion of cultural relics protection houses and the improvement of the surrounding environment of tombs should be started in a timely manner. Further improve security measures, set up card points at important entry and exit intersections, install electronic fences in the excavation area, and equip more than 30 public security officers and security personnel on duty 24 hours a day, so as to achieve fully enclosed and no dead end management to ensure the safety of the excavation site and cultural relics warehouse.
Preliminary judgment of experts
The identity of the owner of the tomb of King Wu may be King Chu Kaolie
On May 14, Anhui Province organized an expert demonstration meeting, inviting experts from the Institute of Archaeology of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Peking University, Wuhan University, China Association for the Protection of Historic Sites and other units to study and discuss the age, nature and value connotation of the Wuwangdun tomb.
△ From the perspective of phonology, the ancient sounds of the word "酓" and the word "bear" are similar and can be faked. On the bell of King Chu Hui unearthed from the tomb of Marquis Yi of Zeng, the "bear chapter" is written as "酓章".
Experts believe that the shape, ornamentation, and combination of cultural relics unearthed from the tomb of Wuwangdun have typical characteristics of Chu culture in the late Warring States period. Combined with the comprehensive analysis of the scale, structure, unearthed text materials and historical documents of the tomb, the identity of the owner of the tomb of Wuwangdun may be the King of Chu Kaolie recorded in the "Historical Records of the Chu Family"!
The archaeological achievements of Wuwangdun Tomb vividly show the splendid achievements of Chinese civilization, and the archaeology and protection and utilization of Wuwangdun Tomb will play an important role in promoting the creative transformation and innovative development of China's excellent traditional culture. The State Administration of Cultural Heritage will continue to promote the archaeological research and cultural relics protection of the Wuwangdun Tomb, timely report the latest archaeological discoveries and research results, and respond to social concerns.
Source: CCTV News