Unearthed bronzeware reveals inscriptions at Western Zhou Dynasty tomb

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Archaeologists have made a new discovery in the excavation at the Western Zhou Dynasty tomb in Northwest China’s Shaanxi Province. A freshly unearthed piece of bronzeware has revealed a series of inscriptions.

Two weeks after excavations began in Baoji, archaeologists have already made some extraordinary breakthroughs. They’ve found three inscriptions at the bottom of a round plate, the first bronzeware engravings to be discovered in the tomb.

Experts have identified the three symbols as "Chen, gui and xian". They guess "Chen" and "Kui" may be the dates of the owner’s birth and death; while "Xian" might be the name of an ancient tribe. But none of this has been confirmed yet, and the identity of owner of the tomb is still a mystery.

Two weeks after excavations began in Baoji, archaeologists have already made some extraordinary breakthroughs. They’ve found three inscriptions at the bottom of a round plate, the first bronzeware engravings to be discovered in the tomb.

But the experts have some theories. They believe that the owner may have had a high social status considering the size and the delicate patterns of the sacrificial bronzeware unearthed.

An archaeologist said, "From the evidence we’ve found so far, the owner of the tomb was a noble of high social rank. But this is just a guess, we need more proof. And after the identity of the tomb owner is confirmed, mysteries like the meaning of the epigraphs can finally be revealed."

After careful excavation, archaeologists have found more than 20 pieces of bronzeware in the tomb, including a one-meter long "Jin", a bronze wine vessel used to dissuade people from drinking too much alcohol.

This ancient tomb was found by chance on June 22nd by some local farmers building a house. The excavation is still ongoing.

After careful excavation, archaeologists have found more than 20 pieces of bronzeware in the tomb, including a one-meter long "Jin", a bronze wine vessel used to dissuade people from drinking too much alcohol.

After careful excavation, archaeologists have found more than 20 pieces of bronzeware in the tomb.

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Editor:Wang Xiaomei |Source: CNTV