Tombs found at Olympic site
2006-07-25 09:11
Beijing - Tombs of eunuchs believed to be around 500 years old have been discovered during construction at a venue for the Beijing Olympics, an official said on Tuesday.
The graveyard was discovered in April and, after an extensive dig by cultural relics authorities, construction was only recently restarted, an official surnamed Zheng at China's Shooting Administration Center told AFP.
"The ancient graves were located on part of a field to be used for trap shooting," Zheng said.
"Cultural authorities have already removed the big tombs and they have finished their excavation of the site."
The tombs, near Beijing's western Fragrant Hills, date from the late Ming Dynasty which ruled China from 1368 to 1644, Beijing cultural relics bureau spokesperson Fan Jun told AFP.
"The best preserved tombs have been moved and will be put on public display," she said.
Eunuchs were high-ranking officials that were castrated at a young age and trained to serve the royal court. Many wielded a strong influence over the emperor and the court.
According to the Beijing Morning Post, the biggest tomb was built in a similar fashion as the Ming Tombs, which contain the remains of the Ming emperors on the outskirts of northern Beijing.
Archaeologists also dug up nine intricately carved jade belts from the tombs, which reflected the high status of the eunuchs, it said.
- SAPA