The Xinjiang District in China harbors an archaeological marvel – an ancient complex of tombs that has yielded over two million copper coins. Unveiled through the meticulous excavation efforts of archaeologists, this 2,000-year-old treasure trove found its roots at a dignified site within the city of Nanchang.
The value of these coins is staggering, estimated to be around £104,000 ($157,340). Among these, the main highlight is the discovery of Liuzhou – the grandiose Emperor Wu, the pinnacle ruler of Han Dynasty.
Archaeologists have unearthed more than two million copper coins from an ancient complex of tombs in the Xinjiang District of China. The dynastic rule spanned between 206 BC and 25 AD.
The excavation site not only encompassed coins but also included a diverse array of artifacts such as 10,000 other gold, bronze, and iron items, ceramics, bamboo slips, and tomb figurines, shedding light on the life of ancient times.
Spanning over an area of 430,550 square feet (40,000 square meters) with walls stretching almost 9,690 feet (900 meters), the site revealed Liuzhou’s resting place, gloriously adorned with historical remnants.
Xin Lixiang of the China National Museum states that the next step is to delve further into the tomb’s artifacts, presenting a clearer idea of the occupant’s life and importance.
The oldest coins, labeled ‘knife money’ or ‘spade money,’ were initially made from casting small farming implements and knives, later melted down into smaller round objects and then further transformed into knives and farm implements when needed.
These coins were initially used as currency around 1,200 BC, where individuals would exchange them for various goods. They had low value and were often exchanged for daily essentials in the middle.
While these coins were primarily prevalent during the Western Han Dynasty, recent research suggests human interaction with the environment may have influenced their decline.
A census taken by China in 2 AD suggests a considerable population living directly near the colossal 14-17 AD flood was very heavily populated, with an average of 122 people per square kilometer, or approximately 9.5 million people in the flood’s path.
The discoveries of not only coins but also ceramics, bamboo slips, and tomb figurines, alongside peculiar burial customs, aim to complete the puzzle of ancient Chinese burial customs.
