- Astana Graves
The Astana Graves (Chinese: 阿斯塔那古墓, Pinyin: Āsītǎnà Gǔmù) are a series of underground tombs located 6km from the ancient city of
Gaochang , and 42km fromTurpan , inXinjiang ,China . The tombs were used by the inhabitants of Gaochang, both commoners and locals, for about 600 years from200 CE –800 CE. The complex covers 10 square kilometers and contains over 1,000 tombs. Different plots for separate castes and families are marked by gravel dividers. Due to the arid environment many important artifacts have been well preserved at the tombs, including naturalmummies .A typical tomb is entered by a 10 meter sloping staircase. The tombs are not very large, usually only 2 meters high. Some tombs also have
murals inside. The deceased were laid on a small raised platform in the back of the tomb, surrounded by possessions and even food. Their faces were covered by cloths, some of which have distinctPersian motifs. A small funeral brick was placed to next to each body, on which was written the person’s name and other biographical information. These bricks have been incredibly useful for historians to date the tombs’ finds.A new pavilion has been built outside the old graveyard. The centerpiece is a large statue of
Fuxi andNüwa , based on the silk banners found on the inner ceilings of the tombs.ee also
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Gaochang References
* Hopkirk, Peter. "Foreign Devils On The Silk Road". John Murray (Publishers), London, 1980.
* Xinjiang Cultural Board. "The Ancient City of Gaochang" (高昌故城). Urumqi, China, 2005.External links
* [http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/xinjiang/turpan/astana.htm Travel China Guide]
* [http://www.abacustour.com/turpan.htm Turpan Info at Abacus Tours]
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