Site of ox-tiger relic ushers in archaeological seminar

A replica of the celebrated Ox-tiger Bronze Table relic. Photo/Yunnan Daily

An academic seminar marking the 50th anniversary of the Lijiashan archaeological discovery was held in central Yunnan’s Yuxi city on August 13.

Lijiashan, or mountain of the Li clan, is the burial site where the celebrated Ox-tiger Bronze Table relic and other ancient bronze wares were discovered. The discovery rocked the archaeological realm back in 1972.

 

A bronze pot unearthed from the Lijiashan site. Photo by Cao Xitong 

Archaeologists at the seminar said the ox-tiger relic enjoys an equal popularity as another Chinese treasure of “Gallopiing Horse with Hind-hoof on a Swallow”, representing the typical bronze culture of ancient Dian/Yunnan Kingdom (278-109B.C.) and collected at Yunnan Provincial Museum as its marked treasure.

Relics unearthed from the Lijiashan site. Photo by Cao Xitong

The Lijiashan ancient tombs form a key site to unveil history of the ancient Dian Kingdom. Located on the northern bank of Yuxi‘s Xingyun lake, 87 tombs have already been dug out over the past decades, with 4,000 plus bronze pieces unearthed.

The lecturerer in the seminar on the site. Photo by Cao Xitong

Reporting by Cao Xitong (Yunnan Daily); Trans-editing by Wang Yunya and Wang Shixue