9. Haihunhou tomb - biggest archaeological find of the year
Since the provincial institute of archaeology in Jiangxi released their finds on Nov 4, the royal tombs of the Marquis of Haihun State of the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 24) have caught the public eye with successive news.
The tomb, the best-preserved royal tombs of the West Han Dynasty ever discovered in China, have the most complete structure, the clearest layout as well as the most complete ritual system by far.
So far, 96 gold cakes, 33 hoof-shaped gold pieces, 20 gold plates and other gold items have been unearthed from Haihunhou cemetery, bringing the number of gold items found here to more than 370.
Current important archaeological findings include a bronze pot containing chestnuts, a lacquer screen with the earliest portrait of Confucius, a pair of goose-shaped bronze lamps that can "swallow" smoke, chimes as well as other musical instruments, Wuzhu coins, jade pendants, gold coins and hoof-shaped ingots.
Archaeologists believe the tomb belongs to Liu He, grandson of Emperor Wu. He was given the title Haihunhou after he was deposed after only 27 days as emperor.
