Chinese archaeologists said underground passages in the ruins of
an ancient Chinese capital near Xi'an might have been dug during
complex power struggles in the Han Dynasty 2,200 years ago.
"The underground passages are the first ever discovered in the
ruins of an ancient Chinese capital," said Liu Qingzhu, a
researcher with the Chinese Institute of Archaeology in the Chinese
Academy of Social Sciences (CASS).
"The tunnels were mostly discovered under the palaces where the
royal women lived, including the emperor's mother, the empress and
the emperor's concubines," Liu said.
Historical records show the emperors in the Western Han Dynasty
(206 BC - 25 AD) relied partly on the families of the imperial
females to consolidate their rule.
"The emperors had many concubines, some of whom were chosen for
political reasons to consolidate royal power through their
families," Liu said. "The political groups might have used the
tunnels to meet secretly in various palaces in the capital."
"The underground passages are very intricate. Some had
gatekeepers to control who went in and who went out," Liu said.
The ruins of nearly 20 underground passages have been discovered
and some stretch for about 20 meters, according to Zhang Jianfeng,
an archaeologist with the Chinese Institute of Archeology in the
CASS.
Many other discoveries were made under the palaces.
"Some of the basements may have been used for residence, storage
or preserving the upper floors from humidity or cold, but we need
more evidence," Zhang said.
The Western Han Dynasty ruled for about 200 years from its
capital in Xi'an.
The imperial capital covered an area of about 36 square
kilometers. The main palace, Weiyang Palace, covered about five
square kilometers. It was the largest palace in ancient China, much
larger than the famous Forbidden City.
The Western Han Dynasty was one of the most prosperous periods
in ancient Chinese history. Its capital Chang'an, today's Xi'an, in
northwestern Shaanxi Province, once competed with Rome as the most
important metropolis in the known world.
(Xinhua News Agency November 2, 2006)