Tomb of the Han Dynasty in Minyang

Tomb of the Han Dynasty in Minyang

The Tomb of the Han Dynasty in Minyang is a cultural tourism attraction.

Located within the burial area of the Niya ruins; it is a joint burial tomb of a couple from the Eastern Han Dynasty. The coffin is a wooden box made of desert poplar, with four short wooden legs. The exterior of the coffin is filled with tamarisk branches and coated with a layer of yellow mud, resembling an earthen chamber. The remains of the deceased have mummified, and the silk robes they wore feature elaborate patterns embroidered with auspicious phrases such as “May All Go Well” and “Longevity and Prosperity for Generations,” written in clerical script. The style of the clothing reflects Han Dynasty characteristics. Burial objects include a bronze mirror inscribed with “Prosperity for the Noble and High-Ranking Officials,” rattan items, a wooden comb, pottery, wooden cups, wooden bowls, as well as bows and arrows. Among them, two fragments of blue wax-printed cotton cloth are the earliest known fabric artifacts discovered in China to date.