Excavation of Cao Cao's tomb throws up new mysteries
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The file picture taken on Dec. 30, 2009 shows the archaeological site where the Mausoleum of Cao Cao is located in Anyang, a city in central China's Henan Province. The Mausoleum of Cao Cao, a legendary Chinese warlord during the Three Kingdoms period (208-280 A.D.), has recently been declared as Cultural Relics under Provincial Protection. The tomb is located near the Yellow River and the city of Anyang, where Cao Cao ruled the Kingdom of Wei from 208 to 220, when he died at the age of 65. [Xinhua] |
![The file picture taken on Dec. 30, 2009 shows the archaeological site where the Mausoleum of Cao Cao is located in Anyang, a city in central China's Henan Province. The Mausoleum of Cao Cao, a legendary Chinese warlord during the Three Kingdoms period (208-280 A.D.), has recently been declared as Cultural Relics under Provincial Protection. The tomb is located near the Yellow River and the city of Anyang, where Cao Cao ruled the Kingdom of Wei from 208 to 220, when he died at the age of 65. [Xinhua]](http://images.china.cn/attachement/jpg/site1007/20100612/0011111fa1560d7daa785e.jpg "The file picture taken on Dec. 30, 2009 shows the archaeological site where the Mausoleum of Cao Cao is located in Anyang, a city in central China's Henan Province. The Mausoleum of Cao Cao, a legendary Chinese warlord during the Three Kingdoms period (208-280 A.D.), has recently been declared as Cultural Relics under Provincial Protection. The tomb is located near the Yellow River and the city of Anyang, where Cao Cao ruled the Kingdom of Wei from 208 to 220, when he died at the age of 65. [Xinhua]")
Other intriguing findings
Archaeologists are also studying the 6-meter high main chamber's ogive, or pointed arched, roof, similar to that of a church spire, which is rare for tombs of that period.
Many stone and pottery miniatures of living necessities were unearthed from the tomb, such as a hogpen with the function of a toilet, a stone well, ancient musical instruments and writing desks.
Liu said many items suggested the tomb master, though a warlord, was immersed in the arts. This complies with historical records showing Cao Cao was a military strategist, veteran politician and man of letters.
