The catacomb is believed to have belonged to the Miao ethnic group which dates back to the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368), according to the initial estimates by the experts.

Burial in a catacomb was a traditional rite of the Miao ethnic group, explained Wei Deyi, director of the city's relics administration.

Wei said that according to the tradition, when a Miao died, he would be placed in a coffin and carried to a large cave where he was placed in order of his seniority in his family or clan.

The huge natural cave, located in Xiaochongzhai, a stockaded village in Duyun city, is an irregular round shape about 30 meters in depth and covering an area of about 2,000 m², Wei said.

Surrounded by virgin forests, it is about 1,400 meters above sea level, with about 3,000 local residents living in the vicinity of the cave, he added.

There were two burial sites at the north and south ends of the cave, where some 400 coffins were observed, all facing south. The other coffins, presumably as many as more than 600 were scattered across the cave which were covered with mud, stones or debris.

The Miao traditional waistband, coir sole and blue skirts were found in the coffins leading experts to conclude that the catacomb was used for Miao burials.

Totem designs of chickens, ducks and cattle were also painted on the coffins, expressing the hope for the prosperity of both humans and animals in their future generations, explained Wei.

However, the catacomb was seriously damaged due to a lack of preservation. According to Geng Wenguang, a 75-year-old resident of the blockaded village, there were about 1,500 coffins in the catacomb when he was a child. Three to four layers of coffins were placed on both the right and left sides of the cave at that time.

But now the catacomb is piled with debris and stones with coffins scattered around the cave, the old man sighed.

Inconvenient access and a shortage of funds have prevented the catacomb from getting proper protection and preservation, Wei stressed.

(Xinhua News Agency March 22, 2003)