Construction workers discover ancient Chinese tomb under school

Song Dynasty-era tomb discovered in China.

(Image credit: Twitter)

last updated 6 August 2015

Builders digging at a high school in southwestern China stumbled upon an ancient burial chamber built during the Song Dynasty (960-1279 A.D.) that archeologists say is extremely rare in both its complexity and size. The massive, double-chambered tomb, which is nestled in the middle of a large mound, is built entirely out of stone and measures approximately 28 feet long, 25 feet wide, and 10 feet high. The tomb's layout includes an entrance corridor, a dividing wall, two burial chambers, and alcoves.

The tomb is remarkably well preserved, with the chamber's intricate carvings and painting still intact. Carvings of warriors, gods, children, animals, and plants adorn the walls of each chamber, and some of the carvings are still colored with red and black paint.

While the tomb appears to have been robbed, as archaeologists found nothing buried within, it remains extremely valuable to research. Archaeologists say that they believe the tomb's carvings will provide some valuable insights into the Song Dynasty's politics, economics, and culture.