Chinese archaeologists have made a stunning discovery: the first-ever intact skeleton of a giant panda found in a Han dynasty tomb.
Although previous sightings found a panda's remains in another Han dynasty tomb, it is the first instance that archaeologists found a fully intact skeleton.
Chinese Archaeologists Discovered First-Ever Intact Panda Remains
Panda cubs play in their enclosure at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Chengdu, China's southwestern Sichuan province on December 29, 2022.
As per the South China Morning Post, archaeologists in China recently found the first-ever complete skeleton of a giant panda buried in a Han dynasty emperor's tomb. The burial roughly dates back to over 2,000 years ago.
The scientist found the well-preserved remains in a satellite pit near the grand mausoleum of Emperor Wendi of Han, who ruled from 180 to 157 BCE. The panda's head is faced the direction of the emperor's tomb, suggesting that the giant panda was sacrificed for the Chinese ruler.
The archaeologist found the tomb in the city of Xian located in Shaanxi province, which apparently was China's capital for a time.
A Shaanxi Academy of Archaeology archaeologist Hu Songmei says it is the first time scientists have unearthed an intact giant panda skeleton in the emperor's tomb.
Ancient Origins reports that she also noted a previous discovery near the emperor's mother. It involved a giant panda's skull found at the tomb of Emperor Wen's mother Consort Bo way back in 1975. However, the body of the black and white mammal was nowhere to be found.
The discovery of the panda skeleton is a significant event in the history of Chinese archaeology. It provides new insights into the relationship between humans and animals in ancient China.
Other Animals in the Han Dynasty Tomb
According to Miami Herald, China's Han Dynasty is much like most ancient societies, wherein the dead are traditionally buried with material goods. But besides these goods, animals, including rare ones, are also part of the ancient ritual.
Hu discloses that they found the skeleton of an Asian tapir, which the International Union for Conservation of Nature now considers an endangered species. The emperor's burial also included some tigers and yaks. On the other hand, Emperor Wen's mother had a peacock, a snub-nosed monkey, a tortoise, and a red-crowned crane.
The Shaanxi Academy of Archaeology archaeologist observed that these rare and wild animals specifically showed up in the ancient ruler's tomb, alongside his mother and the empress.
Although these giant pandas are now rare, Hu points out that they might have been more common during the Han dynasty. She argued that the climate at that time in Shaanxi province was warmer and wetter compared to the current conditions. And thus, she suggests that bamboo might have been more abundant.
The panda skeleton is subject to DNA analysis, which should enable scientists to learn about their origins and diet.
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