File photo of jade ornaments found at the Liao Dynasty Noble Consort tombs in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (Photo/Xinhua)
9. TOMBS OF IMPERIAL CONCUBINES IN INNER MONGOLIA
Tombs found in north China's Inner Mongolia are believed to be those of an imperial concubine from the Liao Dynasty (916-1125) and her family.
Lavish articles for daily use by the royal family, such as silk, amber, and jade have been found, as well as silver, bronze and iron objects, including an incense burner and a bronze lamp in the shape of a lotus.
Five pieces of glassware believed to have originated in the Middle East suggest contact between China and the Arab world at the time.
From an inscription in a tomb, it appears to have belonged to the consort of Emperor Yelu Longxu, who was later demoted in a power struggle. She had a son and two daughters.
