0165 - Qin Emperor's Ancestral Tombs Discovered In Shaanxi. A group of grav...Back

Qin Emperor's Ancestral Tombs Discovered In Shaanxi. A group of graves where the ancestors of Qinshihuang (259-210 B. C.), China's first emperor, were interred were discovered recently by Chinese archaeologists at the western foot of the Lishan Mountain 8 km from Qinshihuang's tomb in Lintong County, Shaanxi Province. Preliminary examinations put Duke Zhuangxiang and his concubine Zhaoji, father and mother of Qinshihuang among the buried. The discovery is of important significance to the study of the history before qinshihuang unified the country. The mausoleum covering 4 square km consists of 2 big tombs, over 30 smaller companion ones and remains of some buildings. The big tomb on the north is shaped like a cross, 218 metres long from east to west and 127 metres from north to south. It contains one chamber and 4 passages. A large quantity of bronze, iron and pottery objects have been unearthed. 15 pieces were inscribed with ancient Chinese small seal characters. These relics are similar to those found near the tomb of Qinshihuang.