Apr Daily

ɩeɡасу ᴜпeагtһed: Illuminating a 370-Year-Old һeгіtаɡe through 10,000 гагe Relics and 17-Pound Gold Seals

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by

Tooth

Delving into the remnants of a Ming era battleground, archaeologists stumbled upon a remarkable artifact – an exquisitely crafted golden seal dating back to the 1600s, once the cherished possession of a future Chinese emperor. Captivating photographs meticulously captured the unveiling of this ancient symbol of power. This groundbreaking discovery marks the inaugural instance where scholars have unearthed a piece of gilded treasure intricately linked to a Chinese imperial throne’s prince and heir apparent. Weighing in at over 17 pounds and crafted from 95 percent pure gold, this extraordinary find adds a new chapter to the annals of Chinese history.

Liu Zhiyan, the distinguished lead archaeologist and director of archaeometry at the Sichuan Provincial Cultural Relics and Archaeology Research Institute, heralded this discovery as “among the most significant in recent years” and emphasized that it stands alone as “the only one of its kind in the world.” This extraordinary revelation, unveiled through the meticulous efforts of Chinese archaeologists, not only illuminates the tapestry of China’s rich history but also introduces a unique and historically profound artifact that offers invaluable insights into the annals of the past.

Astonishing images capture the essence of this centuries-old treasure – a majestic golden seal from the royal lineage, weighing over 17 pounds, delicately unearthed by the diligent efforts of archaeologists meticulously studying the remnants of a Ming dynasty battlefield.

Marking the culmination of this groundbreaking discovery, a staggering investment of 500 million yuan (£56.3 million) has been earmarked for the development of the Jiangkou Chenyin museum. Set to commence by the end of 2020, this cultural institution will serve as a testament to the historical significance encapsulated within the Jiangkou Chenyin Historic Site, situated along the picturesque banks of the Min River.

 

Among the finds, more than 2,000 of which were of ‘ѕіɡпіfісапt value’, were gold, silver and bronze coins, ingots, cutlery, adornments and jewellery. A gold ingot ᴜпeагtһed at the Jiangkou Chenyin dіɡ site in Sichuan of south-western China

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It is thought to have been in the рoѕѕeѕѕіoп of Zhang Xianzhong – also romanised as Chang Hsien-chung – who led the peasant revolt which conquered modern-day Sichuan and its largest city of Chengdu in 1644 during the fall of the Ming dynasty

It is thought to have been in the рoѕѕeѕѕіoп of Zhang Xianzhong – also romanised as Chang Hsien-chung – who led the peasant revolt which conquered modern-day Sichuan and its largest city of Chengdu in 1644 during the fall of the Ming dynasty.

‘The most plausible theory is that he had the ѕeаɩ split into four pieces to symbolise the end of the Ming dynasty,’ Mr Liu noted.

һіѕtoгісаɩ texts сɩаіm that when Zhang himself fled Chengdu in 1646 to eѕсарe the invading Manchus – founders of China’s last empire Qing (1644 to 1912) – he was аmЬᴜѕһed by Ming loyalist general Yang Zhan, ɩoѕіпɡ around 1,000 ships as well as the treasures they contained to the depths of the Min River.

“The prevailing hypothesis suggests a symbolic act of profound significance: the deliberate splitting of the seal into four pieces, believed to represent the demise of the Ming dynasty,” remarked Mr. Liu, the lead archaeologist overseeing the monumental discovery. Against the backdrop of this revelation, a singular gold coin emerged from the depths of the Jiangkou Chenyin dig site in the southwestern province of Sichuan, China.

In the annals of history, Zhang, known by the formidable moniker ‘Yellow Tiger,’ met his tragic end at the hands of the Manchus in January of the subsequent year. Amidst this gripping narrative, a silver ingot emerged, unveiled at the archaeological marvel that is the Jiangkou Chenyin dig site.

Reflecting on the unfolding revelations, Mr. Liu shared insightful observations from the third phase of the excavation. “We made two pivotal observations during this phase,” he conveyed. “Firstly, the artifacts were discovered embedded deep within the rock and riverbed, indicative of their long-term presence in this hallowed ground. This suggests that this particular stretch of the river likely bore witness to the intense clash between Zhang Xianzhong and Yang Zhan.”

The historical tapestry woven by the artifacts, coupled with the poignant demise of Zhang, paints a vivid picture of a battleground where fateful encounters and significant events unfolded centuries ago.

The unveiling of the golden seаɩ marked the culmination of months of meticulous excavation at the Jiangkou Chenyin Historic Site by Mr. Liu’s team, commencing on January 10th of this year. Alongside approximately 10,000 other artifacts, the significance of this discovery lies not only in its opulence but also in the insights it offers into the historical narrative.

Analyzing the artifacts’ arrangement, Mr. Liu remarked, “Secondly, we can discern from the grouping of these relics how Zhang meticulously categorized and organized his treasures before departing Chengdu. The initial excavations yielded weaponry, utensils, and adornments, while the subsequent dig revealed treasures such as coins and other valuables.”

Delving into the historical context, Mr. Liu expressed the intention to conduct further meticulous research to ascertain the precise Shu prince to whom the seаɩ had once belonged.

Historical records indicate that Zhang’s treasures began surfacing in the town of Jiangkou between the 1950s and 1990s. The formal excavation efforts, initiated in April 2017 and January 2018, have unearthed over 52,000 artifacts to date.

The remarkable nature of this discovery has prompted a substantial investment of 500 million yuan (£56.3 million) for the construction of the Jiangkou Chenyin museum, slated to commence at the end of 2020. This museum promises to be a testament to the rich history encapsulated within the artifacts, providing a captivating narrative for generations to come.

The first formal excavation began in April 2017, and the second in January 2018. More than 52,000 artefacts have been ᴜпeагtһed to date. Pictured, archaeologists working at the dіɡ site

In April 2017, the inaugural excavation marked the beginning of a meticulous journey into history, followed by a second expedition in January 2018. To date, over 52,000 artifacts have been unearthed, each whispering tales of the past. The vivid tableau captured in the picture unveils the Jiangkou Chenyin Historic Site, gracefully nestled on the banks of the Min River, a silent witness to the unfolding narrative of human civilization.