Han Tomb of Minyang from the Eastern Han Dynasty

　　Situated in the burial area of the Niya ruins, this is a joint burial tomb of a husband and wife from the Eastern Han Dynasty. The coffin is a wooden box crafted from desert poplar with four short wooden legs. The exterior of the coffin was filled with branches of tamarisk and coated with a layer of yellow mud, resembling a sealed chamber. The remains of the deceased have mummified. The silk robes worn by the deceased feature elaborate patterns, embroidered with clerical script phrases such as “May All Go Well” and “Longevity and Prosperity for Generations,” reflecting the style of Han Dynasty attire. Burial objects include a bronze mirror inscribed with “Prosperity for the Noble and High Officials,” rattan items, a wooden comb, pottery, wooden cups, wooden bowls, as well as bows and arrows. Among the artifacts are two fragments of blue wax-dyed printed cotton cloth, which are the earliest known fabric samples discovered in China to date.