'China's Top New Archaeological Discoveries in 2024' Announced with Project of Baicaopo Eastern Han Imperial Mausoleum Site Listed

Stone artifact inscribed with "Made in the third year of the Era Guanghe"

Orthophoto of the stone palaces' excavation area

[Photo via Luoyang Institute of Archaeology]

The "China's Top New Archaeological Discoveries in 2024" were recently announced in Beijing. The project of the Baicaopo Eastern Han Imperial Mausoleum led by the Luoyang Institute of Archaeology, made the list.

Located in the northeast of Baicaopo Village, Pangcun Town, Yibin District, Luoyang City, the Baicaopo Eastern Han Imperial Mausoleum is part of the Luonan Eastern Han Imperial Tombs. It is situated in the northern part of the core area of the Luonan Tomb Area, with a total area of about 850,000 square meters. Besides the imperial mound and underground palace, the mausoleum site also features mausoleum buildings such as stone palaces, bell stands, resting palaces, garden administrative offices, and officials' quarters. Through years of archaeological excavations, the elements and layout of the Imperial Mausoleum have gradually become clear.

In 2020, a circular stone artifact inscribed with the text "Made in the third year of Guanghe (180 AD)" was unearthed at the Baicaopo Eastern Han Imperial Mausoleum, providing clues to identify the owner of the mausoleum. In 2024, a significant number of inscribed chronological records were newly discovered on the column base stones of the bell stands, providing crucial evidence for determining the owner of the mausoleum, which has substantial academic significance.

(Source: Luoyang Daily)