Archaeological experts from China were able to unearth an ancient tomb that is shaped like a turtle in Shanxi. The one-of-a-kind tomb is estimated to have existed in the North China province about 800 years ago.

On Sunday, Oct. 4, Bai Shuzhang from the provincial institute of archeology revealed that the tomb, which is said to be dated from the middle to the latter part of the Jin Dynasty, was discovered by a local resident of Shangzhuang, Qinxian in April 2015. The said person was then working on the foundation of his new house when he saw the unique structure.

The tomb measures four meters (157.48 inches) in height and contains an octagon-shaped burial chamber and small rooms situated at the northern, northwestern, northeastern, southwestern and southeastern sides. From the top view, the tomb looks like a turtle.

The seven internal borders of the chamber exude three carved art on each side, totaling to 21. The carvings projected folk stories about ancestral sons.

Bai said the unique shape of the tomb, as well as the carvings on the bricks are essential to the understanding of funeral traditions that were practiced during the Jin Dynasty. Experts were able to unearth dead human bodies and as per analysis, this suggests that the burial ground was used by numerous generations.

Ancient Chinese people believed that life is pass on to death and as such, the things that living persons do are continued in the afterlife. With this, tombs were designed to accommodate the things that people may need to use after death such as personal treasures, weapons and ritual tools.

After death, Chinese ancestors also thought that they will be living in the spirit dimension with their gods. They would have the ability to interact with the high powers and urge them to give either good or bad luck to the citizens on Earth. The living, on the other hand, would pray and offer gifts to their ancestors so as to influence the gods to bless them.

During the Jin Dynasty, which lasted for 119 years, most of the known brick tombs were built. In July 2009, construction workers who were then working on a renovation project in Jishan County, also in Shanxi, discovered one of the most magnificent tombs of this generation. Upon detecting the brick wall under the ground, the workers called on the help of the local museum to unearth the discovery. After analysis, the experts found that it was a brick tomb that contained a raised coffin. The tomb was identified via its large, unique and unusual brick carvings.

Photo: Bridget Colla | Flickr