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Modern technology helps survey imperial tomb
By Ma Lie (China Daily)
Updated: 2004-06-24 00:10
Archaeologists at one of China's most significant archaeological sites are
learning more by digging less.
Scientists prospecting the relics under the Mausoleum of the First Emperor of
the Qin Dynasty (221-207 BC) are using advanced technology to protect buried
relics.
Tomb of the First Emperor of
the Qin Dynasty. [newsphoto/file] |
"Instead of surveying underground relics by applying long and narrow shovels,
we use remote sensing technology to investigate the covered relics," said
archaeologist Duan Qingbo.
"The methods indicates the time for large scale harmless dig for covered
relics under the Qin emperor's tomb," said Duan, who works with the Shaanxi
Provincial Archaeology Research Institute and is head of the archaeological team
at the tomb.
The ruins around the tomb are about 60 square kilometres. There are more than
600 remains and some 50,000 relics have been unearthed.
"The tomb is in front of the mountain and covered with a large amount of sand
and stones placed here by floods in the last 2,000 years," he said.
"There are also villages, factories and schools with more than 6,000 people
living in the tomb area. So it is very difficult to survey the area with
traditional methods."
The site can not be properly protected without a clear understanding of what
is buried in the area.
Archaeologists estimate that it would take some 200 years, using traditional
methods, to survey the entire area.
So, in 2002, the Ministry of Science and Technology developed a plan to use
remote sensing technology.
"In 2003, the remote sensing survey made a number of great discoveries, which
showed us the exact location, size and depth of the underground palace of the
mausoleum.
"We learnt much about the palace's building materials, inner structures,
drainage system and walls around it."
The result was a more thorough understanding of what was underground without
doing any actual digging.
"It has great significance for ancient relics and ruin research and
protection, especially for ancient ruins and tombs which are not suitable to be
excavated at present," Duan said.
With further development, remote sensing survey technology will play a more
important role in research and investigation on the Qin tomb area. Combined with
traditional measures which provide exact and detailed information, Chinese
archaeologists will get a complete picture of the tomb in the near future, Duan
said.
The mausoleum is located some 20 kilometres east of Xi'an, capital of
Northwest China's Shaanxi Province. The Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses
Museum is nearby. It is one of the most important national protection units and
one of the most popular tourism destinations in China.
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