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Rare ancient tomb found in North China

Xinhua, October 4, 2015 Adjust font size:

Archeologists in North China's Shanxi Province have excavated a rare turtle-shaped brick tomb dating back to about 800 years.

Bai Shuzhang with the provincial institute of archaeology said on Sunday that the tomb of the mid to late Jin Dynasty (1115-1234) was discovered in April by a resident of Shangzhuang Village, Qinxian County, who was building the foundation for his new house.

With a height of four meters, the tomb consists of an octagonal burial chamber and five small rooms at the chamber's northern, northeastern, northwestern, southeastern and southwestern sides. The design makes it look like a turtle from above.

Inside, seven sides of the chamber are embedded with 21 brick carvings, three on each side. The works depict folk tales about filial sons.

Analyses from the unearthed human remains suggest the tomb was shared by several generations of people.

Bai said the tomb's shape is unusual and the brick carvings are important for research on funeral customs during the dynasty. Endi