The secrets of the underground palace are truly fascinating. The Han tombs in the city are not only grand in their chambers but also rich in accompanying artifacts. The tomb of Liu Sheng is particularly remarkable, with a multitude of burial items placed outside each chamber along the passageway. Inside the corridors and the southern ear chamber, there are six practical vehicles and sixteen horses, along with eleven dogs and one deer. The northern ear chamber is primarily filled with a variety of pottery, some of which contain wine, grains, and fish. The central chamber features bronze, iron, and pottery items, including two canopies. The rear chamber holds a coffin, a sarcophagus, and many precious artifacts, the most significant of which is the gold-threaded jade suit worn by Liu Sheng during his lifetime, which has been remarkably preserved.
Among the various bronze artifacts unearthed from the tomb, the Changxin Palace lamp stands out. It is a beautifully designed bronze lamp depicting a palace maid kneeling and holding the lamp, entirely gilded. The lamp features a rotating lamp tray and a movable lampshade, making it both aesthetically pleasing and functional. The ash from the lamp can be expelled through the maid's right arm, keeping the indoor air clean. Additionally, 19 different styles of bronze lamps were discovered, including door lamps, Zhuque lamps, and sheep-shaped lamps, each a masterpiece of art.
The tomb of Liu Sheng also revealed two components of bronze canopies. Although the wooden frames have decayed, the bronze components remain intact and exquisitely crafted, engraved with heavenly stems, earthly branches, and numbers for assembly. This complete set of Western Han canopy components is the first of its kind discovered, holding significant research value. Furthermore, a well-preserved set of fish-scale armor was found, which is the earliest and best-preserved example of Western Han armor discovered to date. The armor consists of as many as 1,589 plates, with edges wrapped in leather and silk, and lined internally with leather and silk, making it both comfortable and practical.
In total, over 4,200 artifacts were unearthed from the two tombs, including more than 4,200 coins of the Wu Zhu type. Research on these Wu Zhu coins allows for a more precise classification of the periods of Han dynasty Wu Zhu inscriptions.
