Chinese authorities have made two announcements of important archaeological discoveries in recent days – last week it was revealed that tomb of Cao Xiu, an important general during the Three Kingdoms period (220-279 AD) was discovered late last year near the city of Luoyang; this week archaeologists reported that a primitive icebox was unearth in a palace belonging to an emperor from the Qin Dynasty (221 – 207 BC).
The Xinhua News Agency reported that tomb of Cao Xiu is 50 meters long and 21 meters wide, and includes pieces of china, copperware, liquor cups, and jars. Bones that were also found in tomb were tested and suggests they belonged to a 50-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman.
Finally, a bronze seal, about the size of a coin and engraved with Cao Xiu’s name was discovered, which led archaeologists to conclude this was his tomb.
Cao Xiu, a nephew of the famous warlord Cao Cao, served in various military roles before being given important commands during the reigns of Cao Pi and Cao Rui, emperors of Wei. He died in 228 after sustaining wounds in battle.
The icebox was discovered during archaeological investigations in Shaanxi Province in northwestern China. The site was discovered in 2006 and is thought to be a palace over 22 000 square meters in size.
The icebox consists of several clay rings 1.1 meters in diameter and 0.33 meters tall, which were found in a 3 meter deep shaft. Tian Yaqi, a researcher with the Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archeology, believes that this place was a “ling yin” or ice cellar, used to keep food cold during summer months. “If ice cellars were popular more than 2,000 years ago, it certainly sounds reasonable that the emperor and court officials would have one in their residence,” said Tian.
Source: Xinhua News Agency
See also our Medieval News Article Tomb of Cao Cao, famous Chinese ruler, discovered
