On October 9, Nanjing University opened an exhibition for first time on relics from an Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420) tomb discovered on campus.

The excavation journey began in April 1972 when construction workers unearthed a 5-tonne stone pillar from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) along with glazed tile fragments.

Professor Jiang Zanchu, archaeologist and founder of the university's archaeology program, formed an excavation team and discovered a large tomb that dated back to more than 1,600 years ago.

“The tomb’s structure, artifacts, historical records and geographical location all suggest that it is an emperor's mausoleum,” said Zhang Xuefeng, professor at the university’s School of History.

The exhibition features more than 180 artifacts, including a celadon chicken-head jug, a lion-shaped vessel, and a bronze bird-shaped ornament. Among the highlights are four gold ornaments with patterns of cicada, beast, and dragon-riding immortal.

(Photo provided to Xinhua Daily)

Xu Xingwu, president of the university’s Institute for Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, noted that these ornaments were typically affixed to the crowns of emperors or ministers, as shown in ancient portraits.

Shi Mei, curator of Nanjing University Museum, also emphasized the rarity of finding an emperor's mausoleum within a university campus. The museum and the university’s Institute of the Six Dynasties will soon publish books on the tomb, according to Shi.