An ancient city of State of Loulan of the Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD)

Location: Ruoqiang County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

Period: 3rd century-4th century

Excavated in 1900

Significance: It has supplied precious materials to the study of the relationships between the empire located in the Central Plains and ancient kingdoms in the Western Regions, which covers the area of the present-day Xinjiang and parts of Central Asia. It is also of great importance to the study of the cultural exchanges between the East and the West, as well as the Silk Road.

 Introduction

On the west bank of Lop Nur Lake, which is now a lake of sand instead of water, the Ancient City of Loulan was founded in the 2nd century BC in an oasis with rich water network. However it suddenly waned into the history after about 800 years flourish. The city, once the capital of Loulan State which was one of the 36 Western Regions states, occupied very significant position on the Silk Road; however it simply vanished, the only recognizable structures are a pagoda which is the largest structure in the ruins, and a seems-to-be office which still has painted timber traces. 

Wooden strips written with Chinese characters: (up, length 3-19 cm); Painted wooden coffin: burial set (bottom, length 201 cm)

At the beginning of last century, a Swedish explorer in his exploration accidentally discovered the city, which covers an area of about 100,000 square meters, buried in desert. The discovery startled the world. The city is in the shape of irregular square, with the east city wall of 333 meters, the south wall of 329 meters, and the west and north walls respectively 327 meters.

Archeologists believe there was once a water tunnel running through the city and dividing it into two functional parts. Large amounts of potsherds, wood pieces, coins, jewelries and wood slip documents are listed in the archaeological finds, which provide us many clues of the ancient city.

 History

In recent years, there were greater finds around the ruins. Archaeologists found the graveyard which was lost after its previous discovery. On a giant sand dune, there are densely distributed wood stakes which are apparently arrayed around a column like genital. Hundreds of cymbiform coffins scatter around, while most of them are broken, with mummies lying around. Among one of them, one coffin contains a well-preserved mummy who is female with Caucasian features. Archaeologists also found colorfully painted and crosshatched coffins, remaining new. A real size wood statue with clear female characteristics, though cracking and crippled, proves that early Loulan people could produce fairly good artistic pieces. The graveyard is, archaeologists believe, a holy place where early Loulan people prayed for strong reproductive ability.

The discovery may explain why the active and flourishing oasis vanished. It is discovered early Loulan people preferred Sun Tomb, consisting of seven circles of logs, which become thicker and thicker from the center to the outer circle radiating like the sun. The unique and spectacular burying form prevailed and undermined Loulan's existence. Large amount of trees was consumed before Loulan people realized and legislated to control wood consumption and to protect woods and trees. However it seemed to be late and the city swallowed by the fierce desert.