China Invests In Silk Road Infrastructure
An man in ancient Chinese costume walks next to a camel while participating in the Silk Road Cultural Journey, in Jingyang, Shaanxi province September 19, 2014. REUTERS

Tomb archaeologists found a 1,700 year old cemetery along Silk Road near Kucha, a city in north-west China. The burial ground contained ten tombs that were made of bricks and mortar. Seven of which are large dome-like structures of high quality workmanship.

Several artefacts were unearthed in the archaeological site. The tomb labelled M3 contained carved mythical Asian creatures representing the heavens, the different seasons and the four cardinal directions: White Tiger of the West, the Vermilion Bird of the South, the Black Turtle of the North and the Azure Dragon of the East. The heavenly deer was also carved at the top left and top right portion of the screen wall.

There were signs of unlawful activities such as grave robbing and pillage that took place within this ancient site. These intrusions have eradicated evidences that may lead to identification of the original dwellers. Moreover, the unidentifiable remains held within the brick walls of these ancient burial chamber are still shrouded in mystery. Archaeologists stated that each tomb housed several unrelated occupants. The burial containers have decayed as well. Thus, it would be challenging for the excavators to identify traces of the first inhabitants.

An exploration led by Zhiyong Yu, the director of the Xinjang Archaeological Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, discovered the site in 2007. Information about this amazing discovery were published in Chinese in the journal, Wenwu. It took several years before the English translation was published in the Journal of Chinese Relics.

Silk Road or Silk Route is known for its historical role during the Han Dynasty up to the 1400's. It used to be a series of trade route that connected China to the Roman Empire. Kucha was a powerful city-state situated on the branch of this ancient road and was the gateway to controlling the West Frontiers back then. It is also an important Buddhist domain since olden times. Archaeological investigations have been conducted in the region during the early 1900's.