(ORDO NEWS) — Chinese archaeologists have discovered what is probably the oldest rock tomb in the region in the mountains of Tibet. It has not yet been possible to determine exactly who it belonged to.
The find was made in the Tibet Autonomous Region, in southwest China.
The archaeological mission excavated the Gyelsan Ancient Cemetery located in the Nedong District of Shannan City. The total excavation area was about 300 square meters.
As a result, archaeologists discovered about 40 previously unknown tombs.
Special attention of scientists was attracted by a rock tomb, which is probably the oldest of its kind. The researchers conducted radiocarbon dating and determined that it was built around 1200 BC.
The rest of the newly found tombs – cave, stone and earthen, were built between the 13th century BC and the 7th century AD, that is, during the existence of the Tibetan kingdom of Tubo.
Also, during the excavations, numerous relics were found, including pottery, wood and stone products.
The largest part of the burial items was ceramics. Who exactly was buried in the ancient rock tomb, scientists have not yet been able to establish.
“The location of the cemetery and the finds testify to the diversity of cultures, cultural exchanges and links that existed between different parts of Tibet at that time,” explains Tashi Tsering, a researcher at the regional institute for the protection of cultural relics.
At the same time, the excavations of the cemetery showed that even during the reign of the Shang and Zhou dynasties (1600-256 BC), a relatively stable cultural zone began to form in central Tibet.
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