In the long history of China, Cao Cao is undoubtedly a controversial and charismatic figure. He is a hero in troubled times and a poet with outstanding literary talents; He is portrayed as a traitor, but he is also hailed as a hero. Regarding Cao Cao's image, it seems that everyone has a standard answer in their hearts. However, an archaeological discovery in Anyang, Henan Province, in 2008, completely overturned our perception of this Wei Wu Emperor. Through the study of the excavated artifacts, archaeologists have revealed a little-known Cao Cao: short stature, serious dental problems, and possibly even bad breath! These discoveries can't help but make people wonder: how many unknown secrets does the powerful Cao Cao we know have? How will these new discoveries change our evaluation of this historical figure?
In the early spring of 2008, a villager surnamed Li in Xigaoxue Village, Anyang, Henan Province, was working in his field. He suddenly found himself touching a hard object with his plowshare. At first, the villagers thought it was just an ordinary stone, so they wanted to dig it up and throw it away. However, when he laboriously dug up this "stone", he was surprised to find that it was actually a fragment of a stone tablet engraved with ancient characters.
Although the villagers were illiterate, they also knew that it might be a cultural relic. He immediately reported the discovery to the village council. Cadres of the village committee quickly rushed to the scene, carefully examined the fragment of the stele, and decided to report it to the higher cultural relics department.
However, just before the experts from the antiquities department arrived, an unexpected thing happened. When some local lawbreakers heard about this, they took advantage of the darkness to sneak into the fields of Li villagers and began an illegal excavation. They dug a large pit and from this pit they entered the ancient tomb underground.
Early the next morning, when the villagers came to their fields again, they found this huge hole. He immediately realized that the situation was not good and reported it to the village council again. This time, the village committee directly called the police, and the local public security department quickly intervened in the investigation.
After some investigation, the police successfully recovered three stolen fragments of portrait stones from the Eastern Han Dynasty. The discovery of these portrait stones further confirms the importance of this ancient tomb. Subsequently, the provincial cultural relics and archaeology department took over the case and began formal archaeological excavations.
When the archaeological team arrived at the site, they first conducted a detailed survey of the terrain around the tomb
They found that the tomb was located on a small mound with slightly higher terrain around it, which is consistent with the site selection characteristics of the tombs of high-ranking nobles in the Eastern Han Dynasty.
After the initial clean-up of the site, the archaeologists cautiously entered the burial chamber. Although the tomb had been stolen, the robbers apparently did not have enough time to empty all the artifacts. The archaeological team found a large number of pottery, bronze and some jade fragments in the tomb.
What really excites archaeologists, however, is the discovery of a pile of rubble in a corner of the burial chamber. After careful splicing, they made out the words "Tiger Euphorbia often used by King Wu of Wei" on the rubble. The title "King Wu of Wei" immediately caught everyone's attention, as it most likely referred to Cao Cao.
The archaeological team immediately began to excavate in more detail. They found three coffins in different locations in the burial chamber, one of which was located in the doorway of the Frontrooms, and the other two were in the Backrooms. Through a preliminary study of the remains in the coffin, archaeologists speculate that the coffins in the Frontrooms most likely belonged to Cao Cao himself, while the two in the Backrooms may have been his two wives.
This discovery immediately caused a sensation in the academic community. If this is indeed Cao Cao's tomb, it will be one of the most important discoveries in the history of Chinese archaeology in recent years. However, archaeologists have also maintained a cautious approach. They knew that more evidence and research were needed to conclusively identify the owner of the tomb.
In the months that followed, the archaeological team carried out a comprehensive and detailed excavation of the tomb. Not only did they find a large number of precious cultural relics, but they also gradually confirmed the age and grade of the tomb through the study of epitaphs and burial goods. All indications point to the fact that this is probably Cao Cao's mausoleum.
This major discovery not only provides valuable material for the study of Cao Cao's person and affairs, but also provides a new perspective for us to re-understand the history of the late Eastern Han Dynasty. However, archaeological work has also brought a series of new questions and challenges, which require more in-depth research and discussion by archaeologists.
With the deepening of archaeological work, the overall layout of Cao Cao's tomb gradually appeared in front of archaeologists. This tomb adopts a typical tomb structure of high-ranking nobles in the late Eastern Han Dynasty, consisting of a tomb passage, a front room, a middle room and a back room, with a "middle" shaped layout. The tomb is about 30 meters long and 3 meters wide, with a gentle slope that is convenient for transporting large burial goods.
The construction of the burial chamber is exquisite, and the walls and floors are paved with bluestone slabs. The ceiling is vaulted to enhance the stability of the burial chamber. Archaeologists have noticed that some of the walls of the tomb still have traces of painting, although they are mottled, but the silhouettes of some people and animals can be faintly seen, which may be depicting Cao Cao's deeds during his lifetime or traditional patterns to ward off evil spirits.
In the front room, the archaeological team found a relatively well-preserved coffin, and after preliminary identification, it was believed that it was likely to be the coffin of Cao Cao himself. Around the coffin are a variety of exquisite funerary goods, the most eye-catching of which is a complete set of bronze ritual vessels, including Ding, Gui, Jue, etc., exquisite craftsmanship, showing the noble identity of the tomb owner.
The middle room is the largest space in the entire tomb and is considered to be the area where the main funerary goods were placed. Here, the archaeological team found a large number of weapons and military supplies, including dozens of iron swords, iron spears and halberds, as well as some broken fragments of armor. These findings are consistent with Cao Cao's lifelong experience of being a horseman.
In particular, in one corner of the middle room, the archaeological team found a well-preserved set of stone Go. The chessboard and chess pieces are carved from the finest bluestone, and the chessboard is also carved with exquisite ornamentation. This discovery not only confirms the historical record of Cao Cao's mastery of Go, but also provides valuable material for the study of Go culture in the Eastern Han Dynasty.
In the back rooms, the archaeological team found two other coffins, which were speculated to be the coffins of Cao Cao's two wives based on their size and placement. Around the two coffins are a large number of feminine objects, including bronze mirrors, comb grates, incense burners, etc., as well as some fine jade and silk fabric fragments.
In the entire tomb, the most eye-catching funerary object is a bronze "tiger halberd"
The weapon is about two meters long, with a three-pronged head and a delicate tiger stripe carved on the halberd. According to the epitaph, this was the weapon that Cao Cao used during his lifetime. This weapon not only embodies Cao Cao's martial prowess, but also demonstrates the superb metallurgical technology of the late Eastern Han Dynasty.
In addition to these large funerary objects, the archaeological team also found a large number of small artifacts in various corners of the burial chamber. These include dozens of copper coins, some jade pendants and seals, and some ceramic vessels. Although these small objects are small in size, each one is beautifully crafted and reflects the level of craftsmanship of the time.
In terms of textual materials, in addition to the initial fragments of epitaphs, the archaeological team also found some fragments of bamboo slips and wooden slabs in the burial chamber. Although most of these texts have decayed due to their age, some words and phrases can still be identified after careful identification by experts. These include the words "Ten victories and ten defeats" and "Fengxiao", which echo Cao Cao's life deeds and his famous articles such as "Seeking Attack", and further corroborate the identity of the tomb's owner.
It is worth noting that in the entire tomb, the archaeological team did not find a large amount of gold and silver jewelry. This phenomenon is consistent with Cao Cao's advocacy of "thin burial" during his lifetime. According to the "Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms", Cao Cao once made it clear that he would be buried after his death, and not too much waste. This simple funeral concept was not common among the nobles of the time, and it also reflected Cao Cao's personal character from the side.
In general, the tomb structure and funerary goods of Cao Cao's tomb not only confirm many historical records, but also provide us with a lot of new information. These discoveries not only help us to understand Cao Cao and his people more comprehensively, but also provide valuable material materials for the study of society, culture, and military affairs in the late Eastern Han Dynasty. However, these findings have also raised a new set of questions that require more in-depth research and discussion by scholars.
In the course of a comprehensive archaeological excavation of Cao Cao's tomb, archaeologists conducted a detailed study of the unearthed human bone remains. These findings reveal a little-known image of Cao Cao, which differs significantly from those found in historical records and folklore.
First, through the measurement and analysis of Cao Cao's remains, archaeologists came to a surprising conclusion: Cao Cao was only about 1.56 meters tall. This discovery subverted people's long-held imagination of Cao Cao's tall and mighty image. In fact, this height belongs to the category of shortness among men in the late Eastern Han Dynasty. Archaeologists speculate that Cao Cao's height trait may be related to his nutritional status in his early years.
Notably, despite his short stature, Cao Cao's skeletal structure shows that he had a strong physique. In particular, the bones of his shoulders and arms are more developed, which may be related to his long-term martial arts training and participation in warfare. This discovery also confirms the historical description of Cao Cao's skill in riding and archery.
While studying Cao Cao's skull, archaeologists discovered an interesting detail: Cao Cao's left eye socket was slightly larger than his right one. This characteristic echoes the description in the "Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms" that Cao Cao was "fierce and endowed, with fair skin and bright eyes". Archaeologists speculate that this may be the physiological basis that led to Cao Cao's impression of "blazing eyes".
The most striking finding, however, was about Cao Cao's dental condition. Through the study of Cao Cao's skull, archaeologists found that Cao Cao suffered from severe periodontitis. Multiple teeth have been lost and the remaining teeth also have visible signs of wear and decay. This serious dental problem is likely to cause Cao Cao to suffer from oral diseases in his later years.
What is even more surprising is that archaeologists have speculated that Cao Cao may also have bad breath problems through chemical analysis of Cao Cao's oral residue. This discovery provides a new perspective for our understanding of Cao Cao's daily life and interpersonal interactions. Historically, Cao Cao was known for being good at employing people, but there were also many people who were afraid of him. Whether this problem of bad breath affected his interpersonal communication to some extent has become a question worthy of in-depth discussion.
In addition to this, archaeologists have also found some other interesting details in Cao Cao's skeleton. For example, Cao Cao's vertebrae showed a slight curvature, which may have been the result of his long riding and participation in warfare. At the same time, his knee joints also had a certain degree of wear and tear, which may have caused Cao Cao's "leg disease" in his later years mentioned in historical records.
While studying Cao Cao's hand bones, archaeologists noticed obvious signs of wear on the thumb and forefinger of his right hand. This discovery is consistent with historical records of Cao Cao's proficiency in writing and poetry. Archaeologists speculate that these wear and tear may have been caused by a long period of writing.
Another striking finding was that Cao Cao's left arm was slightly shorter than his right
This asymmetry is uncommon in adults, and archaeologists speculate that it may have been the result of Cao Cao's injuries during his youth. This discovery also provides new clues to our understanding of Cao Cao's military career.
Through a thorough study of Cao Cao's remains, archaeologists have also uncovered a number of other health problems. For example, he has some healed fracture marks on his ribs, which may have been the result of injuries sustained in the war. At the same time, his toe bones also showed some signs of arthritis, which may have caused some inconvenience in his movement in his later years.
These discoveries about Cao Cao's physical characteristics provide us with a more realistic and three-dimensional image of Cao Cao. They not only help us better understand Cao Cao's personal experiences and life conditions, but also provide us with new perspectives to revisit historical records and folklore. These findings suggest that even historical figures like Cao Cao faced the same health problems and physiological limitations that ordinary people encountered.
However, these physical characteristics did not prevent Cao Cao from becoming a preeminent military strategist and statesman. On the contrary, these findings highlight Cao Cao's extraordinary: despite facing disadvantages such as short stature and oral problems, he was able to stand out in troubled times and become a generation of heroes. These new discoveries provide a new basis for us to re-evaluate Cao Cao's historical status and personal charm.
The excavation of Cao Cao's tomb not only brought rich archaeological discoveries, but also sparked a series of heated discussions about the interpretation of epitaphs. This tattered epitaph has become the focus of research among archaeologists, historians and philologists, and contains more information than was originally expected.
The fragment of the epitaph, which contains more than 20 words, is incomplete, but still provides us with valuable information. One of the most striking is the title "Cao Cao, King of Wei Wu". This title has sparked widespread scholarly discussion, as Cao Cao is often referred to in historical documents as "Emperor Wu of Wei" rather than "King Wu of Wei". This difference in title has become a key point in interpreting Cao Cao's identity and status.
Some scholars believe that the title "King Wu of Wei" may reflect Cao Cao's actual status during his lifetime. Although Cao Cao was posthumously revered as emperor in history, during his lifetime, his official title only reached the king of Wei. The title of this epitaph may be closer to the reality of Cao Cao's death than to the result of posthumous sealing.
However, some scholars have put forward a different view on this. They believe that "King Wu of Wei" may have been a transitional title used by Cao Pi after his father's death, but before he was officially proclaimed emperor. This view holds that the epitaph may have been made shortly after Cao Cao's death, but before Cao Pi became emperor.
Another controversial point in the epitaph is about Cao Cao's year of birth. Based on the surviving texts, scholars speculate that the epitaph may have recorded the year of Cao Cao's birth and death. However, due to the fragmentation of the text, it is not possible to determine the specific year. This situation has triggered a rethinking of Cao Cao's actual age.
There has been controversy about Cao Cao's year of birth in traditional historical sources. The Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms records that Cao Cao died in the twenty-fifth year of Jian'an (220) at the age of sixty-six, which calculates his birth year to be the second year of the Yanxi reign of Emperor Huan of the Han Dynasty (155). However, some scholars, based on other historical sources, believe that Cao Cao may have been born at an earlier date.
The discovery of the epitaph provides a new clue to the resolution of this controversy. Although the exact year cannot be determined, the existence of the epitaph itself provides important physical evidence for further research into Cao Cao's life. Archaeologists hope that through an in-depth study of the epitaph, the year of Cao Cao's birth and death can be more accurately determined.
In addition to these major points of contention, there are other elements in the epitaph that have sparked the interest of scholars. For example, the epitaph mentions the "Jian'an" year name, which further confirms the identity of the tomb's owner. At the same time, the epitaph contains illegible handwriting that may contain more information about Cao Cao's life or political achievements.
To decipher these blurred handwritings, archaeologists have used a variety of advanced techniques
For example, high-definition photography and 3D scanning are used to record epitaphs in detail, and then computer image processing is used to enhance the clarity of the handwriting. At the same time, calligraphy experts and philologists were invited to participate in the study, hoping to deduce the possible content of these vague characters by comparing them with other written materials of the same period.
Interestingly, in the course of their research, some scholars have noticed that the calligraphic style of the epitaph differs from other written relics of Cao Cao's lifetime. This sparked a discussion about the identity of the epitaph maker. Some scholars speculate that this epitaph may have been produced by Cao Pi or other members of the Cao family, rather than prepared by Cao Cao during his lifetime.
In addition, the material of the epitaph has also become a focus of research. Archaeologists have found that the epitaph was made of high-quality bluestone, which was not common at the time. This discovery not only reflects Cao Cao's noble status, but also provides new information for the study of stone processing technology in the late Eastern Han Dynasty.
As the research deepened, scholars also found some tiny notches on the epitaph. These nicks can be traces from the production process or traces from later modifications. This discovery has sparked a discussion about whether the epitaph has undergone multiple revisions, and also provides new clues to the study of the production process of ancient epitaphs.
The discovery and interpretation of epitaphs not only provide a new perspective for the study of Cao Cao and his person, but also provide important physical evidence for us to understand the political and cultural environment in the late Eastern Han Dynasty. Although controversy continues, scholars generally agree that the epitaph is worth much more than a personal account of Cao Cao's life, and that it provides valuable first-hand information for us to revisit this period of history.
The excavation of Cao Cao's tomb not only reveals the final destination of this heroic man in the Three Kingdoms period, but also opens a window of time to the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty. Each of the many artifacts unearthed from the tomb contains a wealth of historical information and cultural value, providing valuable physical evidence for our understanding of the social, economic, cultural and artistic aspects of that turbulent era.
The most striking of these is a complete set of bronze chimes. There are 19 pieces of chimes in this set, which are complete and well-made. The surface of the chimes is intricately engraved with patterns and inscriptions, reflecting the high bronze casting techniques of the time. Through the study of this set of bells, archaeologists not only restored the music culture of the late Eastern Han Dynasty, but also gained a new understanding of the metallurgical technology at that time. It is worth mentioning that during the acoustic testing of the chimes, experts were surprised to find that the timbre of some of these bells was not inferior to that of modern musical instruments, a discovery that provided an important physical basis for the study of ancient music.
Another artifact that has attracted widespread attention is a bronze mirror. This bronze mirror is about 20 centimeters in diameter and has elaborate patterns and inscriptions cast on the back. Although the mirror surface has been somewhat oxidized due to age, the reflected image can still be faintly seen. Through the metallographic analysis of the copper mirror, the experts discovered a unique casting process at that time. This bronze mirror is not only a fine work of art, but also an important material material for studying metallurgical technology and aesthetic concepts in the late Eastern Han Dynasty.
A collection of fine pottery and lacquerware was also unearthed from the tomb. There is a wide variety of these utensils, including a variety of daily necessities and ritual utensils. One of the black lacquered wooden boxes is particularly eye-catching, with a lid, carved with a vivid landscape landscape, showing the high level of lacquer craftsmanship of the time. Through the study of these artifacts, archaeologists have gained a deeper understanding of the daily life and ritual system of the late Eastern Han Dynasty.
In terms of weapons, a number of sophisticated weapons were unearthed from the tomb, including swords, halberds, bows and arrows. These weapons not only reflect the smelting and forging technology of the time, but also provide important information for the study of military equipment in the late Eastern Han Dynasty. One of the richly decorated swords attracted special attention from specialists. The sword is about a meter long, the hilt is inlaid with precious gemstones, and the body of the sword is engraved with exquisite patterns. Through the study of this sword, experts speculate that it may have been a valuable sword used by Cao Cao during his lifetime, or it may have been a ritual weapon.
A large number of jade artifacts were also unearthed in the tomb, including jade bi, jade pendants, and various jade ornaments. The exquisite shapes and craftsmanship of these jade objects reflect the superb jade processing techniques of the time. In particular, a jade carving dragon-shaped ornament, with its fine carving and vivid shape, shows the peak level of jade art in the late Eastern Han Dynasty. Through the study of these jade objects, archaeologists not only learned about the jade craftsmanship at that time, but also gained a new understanding of the etiquette system and aesthetic concepts in the late Eastern Han Dynasty.
In terms of written materials, in addition to the epitaphs that have aroused widespread discussion, a number of bamboo slips and wooden slabs have also been unearthed from the tomb. Although these texts have been damaged by their age, they still provide a wealth of valuable historical information. Through the interpretation of these texts, scholars have gained a deeper understanding of the political system, military strategy, and daily government affairs of Cao Cao's reign. In particular, some of these documents related to military and political affairs provide first-hand information for the study of Cao Cao's philosophy of governance.
It is worth mentioning that some unique silk fabrics were also unearthed in the tomb. Although the state of preservation of these silk fabrics is poor, it can still be seen that they are exquisite patterns and superb weaving skills. Through the study of these silk fabrics, archaeologists not only learned about the textile technology of the time, but also gained a new understanding of the clothing culture in the late Eastern Han Dynasty.
In addition, some extraterritorial objects were found in the tomb, such as some Roman glassware and gold and silver objects from Central Asia. The existence of these foreign objects provides important clues for the study of foreign exchanges and trade at that time, and also reflects the frequent exchanges with the outside world during Cao Cao's reign.
Each artifact unearthed in the tomb is a testimony of an era, and they not only reflect Cao Cao's personal status and taste, but also epitome the entire era. The value of these artifacts lies not only in their own level of art and craftsmanship, but also in the historical information they carry. Through an in-depth study of these artifacts, archaeologists and historians have been able to re-examine and reassess Cao Cao's place in history, as well as the turbulent era in which he lived.
The excavation and research of Cao Cao's tomb not only fills in the gaps in history, but also provides us with a new perspective for understanding the society, economy, culture and art of the Three Kingdoms period. These precious cultural relics are like a time tunnel, allowing us to travel through thousands of years and experience that changing era up close. Their value goes far beyond the scope of archaeology and history, and has become a valuable heritage of Chinese civilization.