Recently, there has been heated discussion on whether the
Qianling Mausoleum should be dug out in
Xian. (CRIENGLISH.com) |
BEIJING, July 9 -- Recently, there has been heated discussion on whether the Qianling
Mausoleum should be dug out in Xian. It's said the Shaanxi administration of
cultural heritage and Qianling Museum are ready to improve the environment of
the Qianling Mausoleum and repair it. They hope to dig out the Qianling
Mausoleum if technology and labor are sufficient.
According to the epitaph, before Tang Emperor Gaozong
(Li Zhi) died, he asked in his will to bury his favorite paintings and pictures
into the tomb. Since Tang Emperor Gaozong (Li Zhi) and Empress Wu Zetian led the
golden age of the Tang Dynasty, the paintings and pictures are invaluable.
After the liberation of China, there were many
applications to dig out the Qianling Mausoleum which were objected by the state
administration.
Reasons to dig: To explore more of the
history of the Tang Dynasty
Shi Xingbang, the chairman of the Shaanxi Archaeology
Institute, says the Qianling Mausoleum is the only one which hasn't been
plundered until now, so skeletons, various silver and golden articles, ceramics,
carpentry and silk items inside the tomb are invaluable for archaeological
purposes. They can help us explore more about the history of the Tang Dynasty.
Though the tomb is well built, nobody knows what the tomb is like inside or
whether earthquakes, sienna and the weather have had an effect on the materials
inside the tomb. It is also possible the items in the tomb will be putrefied
after being dug out, but we would rather that than the items be putrefied inside
the tomb. Furthermore, we have gained enough experience by digging other tombs.
Reasons not to dig
Su Bai, an archaeology professor from Peking
University, says we should be very careful about what our ancestors left for us.
With limited scientific technology, he thinks the environment 1,000 meters
underground is comparatively stable.
State Administration of Cultural Heritage: No
approval of digging Qianling Mausoleum
The State Administration of Cultural Heritage says it
is not for digging the Qianling Mausoleum. It holds the principle of
preservation and salvage rather than dig.
Brief introduction of
the Qianling Mausoleum
Qianling Mausoleum, situated on Liangshan Hill to the
north of Qianxian county (in Xian in central Shaanxi province), is a joint tomb
of Tang Emperor Gaozong (Li Zhi) and Empress Wu Zetian. There was a lot of
architecture on the ground of the tomb which was a grand necropolis. The huge
stone statues arrayed in front of the tomb are well preserved up to this day.
They demonstrate remarkable achievements in the sculptural arts during the prime
of the Tang Dynasty. A great deal of excellent handicrafts -- for example,
tricolored and gold and silver wares -- were unearthed from the satellite tombs.
The murals unearthed from the minor tombs to the Qianling Mausoleum are
colorful. With smooth lines and gorgeous colors, they gracefully depict many
ancient paintings.
(Source: CRIENGLISH.com)
