A tomb of a local tribal ruler in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) has been excavated in central-south China's Hunan province with valuable findings provided for study of whereabouts about ancient minority people in the region.
The tomb, located in central-southern Hunan province's Yongshun county, which historians dubbed as the "forbidden city in the south", was believed to be a burial place of a "Tusi", or a local tribal headman or rather a minority ethnic administrator.
The tomb's axis symmetrical passage, over 100 meters long and some three meters wide, led to the 10 meter by 4 meter main hall. And stone statues of lions, horses and human figures lining up the entire passage, was covered by cobbles, all symbolizing the ranks of local ethnic rulers during that period.
Archaeologists working on the excavation site said that the tomb, estimated to be built in the early Ming dynasty, provides vital clues for the study of Tusi reign in the region.
(Xinhua News Agency October 2, 2002)
