????A
group of stone tombs of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) have been
found in Payu Village, Dali County, northwest China's Shaanxi
Province.
????The burial chamber was built in the
courtyard structure. The walls of the tomb, engraved with
a large amount of paintings and characters, were built by
bluestone slates. A lifelike and vivid female stone figurine
was found in one tomb.
????Experts from the Shaanxi Archaeological
Institute are excavating these tombs found by a local farmer
in January. Preliminary excavation shows that there are a
total of eleven tombs, with the circumference of 1,000 meters.
????Tian Yaqi, an associate research fellow,
said that the tombs are those of a local wealthy family named
Li in the Qing Dynasty.
????It is the first time to find such kind
of large family cemetery in Shaanxi Province. The tombs are
of high academic significance to the study of the politics,
economy, culture and customs of the Qing Dynasty.
????(Xinhua 03/30/2001)
