Over 280-year mummy discovered in downtown Beijing

Local archaeologists claim to have unearthed a well-preserved mummy dating back more than 280 years in Shijingshan District of the national capital Beijing.

The mummy, identified as a male, is 1.73 meters long and flesh-colored. The man has six toes on the left foot.

Archaeologists with the Shijingshan cultural relics department said the tomb was built during the period when Emperor Kangxi(1662-1722) of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), judging from the relics unearthed from the tomb.

The man wore court dress with the design of Kylin, an auspicious legendary animal with a horn and scales all over, which indicates that he should be a top-rank military official of the Qing Dynasty. However, the characters carved on the coffin indicate that he was a civilian official of the fourth rank.

Further researches are needed to identify the status of the official, an archaeologist was quoted as saying by Monday's Beijing Youth Daily.

The size of the tomb was not mentioned.

During the Qing Dynasty, dresses of government military officials are embroidered with the images of beats including Kylin, lion, leopard, tiger, bear and young tiger, while the designs for civilian officials' dresses include crane, golden pheasant, peacock, swan goose and egret to indicate the rank of their status.

Archaeologists sorted out 31 pieces of relics from the tomb including an official's cap, a long string of beads, worn by senior officials of the Qing Dynasty, a suit of ceremonial gown, a suit of ceremonial robe and a sachet.

Currently, the 31 pieces of relics are housed at the Capital Museum.

Source: Xinhua