10th-century coffin opened on live TV

Chinese archeologists opened a 1000-year-old coffin live on national television today, revealing what was believed to be the body of an ancient tribal nobleman. Titled "The mystery of the 1000-year-old coffin," the event was shown on the main state television noon news from a research centre in the northern region of Inner Mongolia.

Archeologists and police guards in rubber gloves and face masks first lifted off a cover of an outer sarcophagus. They then opened an inner coffin, revealing a body covered in a silk shroud and wearing a necklace, bells around the ankles and a metal-studded mask and helmet.

Both boxes were made of thick slabs of wood with brass handles and decorated with gilt designs of birds, servants and swirling pattern.

Posted by David on June 12, 2003 9:40 AM