Location: Tongliao, North China's Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region

Period: Liao Dynasty (916-1125)

Excavation period: March 2003

Inner Mongolian Cultural Relics Archeological Research Institute, led by Tala

Findings

In March 2003, Chinese archaeologists in northern China's Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region stumbled upon a 1,000-year-old tomb on Tuerji Mountain.

It was confirmed as the tomb belonging to a Khitan aristocrat of the early Liao Dynasty and the second well-preserved large tomb from the Liao found so far in China. The intact skeleton was discovered in the coffin, which was decorated with colorful paintings.

The long slope leading to the tomb gate offers a glimpse inside. The walls along the slope were built with stone blocks painted with frescoes. Most of the colorful murals on the tomb walls, however, have either faded or flaked off. The tomb contains a painted coffin that features red and black hues, with designs of celestial cranes, phoenixes, peonies and propitious clouds. There are bells hanging from the edges of the coffin, whose cover is decorated with three gourd-shaped bronze decoration and phoenix designs engraved along the middle.

The corpse was found wearing 11 layers of silk clothing, with a necklace, headdress, bracelets, rings, earrings, bells around the ankles and a walking stick. The hair was still completely intact.

Researchers brought to light a large number of copper, silver, gold, lacquer and wooden pieces, and silk. Most of the gold and silver ware bore various engravings of animal and human figures.

Aristocrat "Reborn" on Computer Screen

The material data unearthed from the tomb, including clothing, the headdress, earrings and necklace, help supply rare and accurate information in the restoration of the skeleton. An electronic image was reconstructed, defining the corpse's long face, short and narrow forehead, small, narrow eyes, thin lips, prominent cheekbones and flat nose.

The aristocrat wore a headdress with two tiny braids decorated with some golden chips, a bowknot coiled at the rear of the head, earrings with beryl studs and an agate necklace.

Research shows that the aristocrat was 1.6 meters tall and 30-35 years of age. It is still difficult for archeologists to accurately detect the sex of the subject -- even with the computer-generated portrait. This is the first time Chinese scientists had carried out physical anthropology and DNA testing on an ancient Khitan. The testing is currently still underway.

Significance

Archaeologists say that the tomb had not been pillaged and that the relics are of great significance, offering a rich variety of materials for researchers delving into the history, social customs, costumes, arts and burial rites of the Khitans, as well as the exchanges between the early Liao and late Tang dynasties (618-907).