40
kilometers (25 miles) southeast of Turpan, 6 kilometers
(3.7 miles) from the ancient city of Gaochang, this
Tang-dynasty burial ground known as the "Underground
Museum" attracts stream of archaeologists both
at home and abroad Astana means "capital"
in Uigur and Karakhoja is the name of a legendary
hero of the ancient Uigur Kingdom who expelled the
evils by killing a vicious dragon. Two villages nearby
name after these two.
The tombs range 2 kilometers (1.24 miles) from north
to south and 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) from east to
west. The imperial dead of Gaochang and noble officials
were buried here. However, curiously, the tomb of
King Gaochang has been found nowhere in the tombs.
A 10-meter (16-feet) steep, narrow passage leads down
into a small dark chamber where the corpses were lay
down. The dry climate preserved the bodies and artifacts
perfectly. Dried-up corpse, the one more unusual than
the mummies found in the pyramids in Egypt, remain
complete and intact. A fine collection of relics from
Astana including painted stucco figurines which revealed
such aspects of daily life as traditional costumes,
customs and riding accoutrements are exhibited in
the Xinjiang Regional Museum in Urumqi. Remains of
grains, breads, pastries and dumplings placed in the
graves gave insight into their diet. Furthermore,
on a bail of horse fodder are written the words "Judge
Cen" and "Minister Feng". Judge Cen
is the famous frontier poet Cen Shen of the Tang dynasty
and Minister Feng, the governor of Beiting Prefecture
of the Tang dynasty. Most buried here were people
of the Han, but also some minority nationalities,
such as the Cheshi, Hun, Di, Xianbei, Gaoche, and
Zhaowujiuxing.
Now three tombs have been opened to visitors. In the
tomb of the Tang-dynasty, General Zhang Xiong of the
Qushi Gaochang Kingdom was buried here with his wife
(now encased in the Turpan Regional Msueum). There
are four murals depicting Jade Man, Gold Man, Stone
Man and Wooden Man - all symbols of Confucian virtues.
Buried in these tombs are nobles, officials and others
from the period beginning in the Western Jin and ending
in the middle of the Tang Dynasty. Curiously, the
tomb of King Gaochang is found nowhere in the group
of tombs, but renowned general Zhang Xiong of the
Qushi Gaochang Kingdom was buried here with his wife
and son Zhang Huaiji.
Almost all of the corpses in the more than five hundred
tombs have not rotted; instead they have become dried-up
bodies, a phenomenon more unusual than the mummies
found in the pyramids of Egypt. Thanks to the dry
and hot climate, many paintings, earthen figurines
and thousands of other unearthed cultural relics are
well-preserved and as colourful as new ones. The unearthed
boiled dumplings of the Tang Dynasty are the same
shape as those of today and the stuffing of the dumping
is still fresh. Furthermore, on a bail of horse fodder
are written words "Judge Cen" and "Minister
Feng."
Judge Cen is the famous frontier poet Cen shen of
the Tang Dynasty and Minister Feng is Feng Changqing,
the governor of Beiting prefecture of the Tang Dynasty.
Most of those buried here were people of Han nationalities,
such as Cheshi, Hui, Xianbei, Gaoche, and Zhouwujiuxing.
Now three tombs have been opened to visitors. Besides
corpses, there are murals depicting figures, birds
and flowers on display in the three tombs.
