Hi Kunming: Shizhaishan tombs listed in top 100 archaeology findings

The Shizhaishan ancient tombs of central Yunnan’s Jinning district was included among the national top 100 archaeology findings of the past century, which were announced October 18 at the third Chinese Archaeology Congress in Sanmenxia City, central China's Henan Province.

Shizhaishan is a key cultural relic representing the Yunnan or Dian culture. It is the cemetery of the kings of ancient Yunnan in succession and their home servants from the Warring States Period (475-221 BC) to the Han Dynasty (206BC-220 AD).

Together with the Yin Ruins in Anyang and the Terracotta Warriors in Shaanxi, the Shizhaishan cemetery is known as one of China's three unearthed miracles.

Here, the "King’s Seal of Dian" was unearthed in 1956, causing a sensation in the archaeological circles at home and abroad. The discovery confirmed the historical record that Emperor Wu granted the king the seal in the Western Han dynasty (108 BC).

Artifacts out of bronze, gold, silver, iron, jade, seashell and more were also unearthed at the Shizhaishan site. The crafts feature the exquisite workmanship, vivid carving and unique style at that time.

Source: Kunming Publicity Department and Jinning Publicity Department; Trans-editing by Mo Yingyi