Revealing Ancient Connections: New Museum in Xinjiang Unearths Silk Road Secrets

History enthusiasts and archaeology aficionados have a new destination on their travel map—a unique underground museum has been unveiled deep beneath the streets of Kuqa County in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. This archaeological marvel presents a sophisticated complex of tombs linked to the ancient Silk Road that managed to remain unfound for more than 1,700 years.

Officially opened on a bustling Monday, the museum serves as a time capsule into the Wei and Jin dynasties (220-420), safeguarding the narrative of the Qiuci State, a pivotal polity during those times. The Qiuci State stood from the second century BC and continued its legacy for an entire millennium. It was integral among the 36 states that formed the collective of the Western Regions during the Han Dynasty.

Spread across an impressive 5,000 square meters, the museum was conceived for the preservation of the 15 diligently crafted brick tomb chambers—unearthed unexpectedly during a 2007 infrastructure project. Recognition was swift, with the site being named among China's top ten new archaeological finds that year.

The sepulchers echo the architectural penchants of their era, mirroring the Han Dynasty's tomb designs from central China, and extend an unbroken link to the heritage of the Hexi Corridor. Interestingly, a shared funerary practice was observed, wherein the interred were laid to rest with coins placed in their hands or mouths—a notable custom of central China.

Within the hallowed confines of these chambers, visitors can marvel at an extensive collection of pottery, bone artifacts, and coins—all excavated from these very tombs. What makes the experience even more enthralling is the rapid adoption of modern exhibition techniques such as digital displays, virtual reality, and interactive touch screens. Deputy curator Feng Wei emphasizes the museum's mission to blend authentic tomb preservation with digital enhancements to envelop visitors in the ambiance of ancient Qiuci.

Extensive excavations, spanning four onsite campaigns from 2007 to 2023, reveal over 2,000 relics including domestic tools like wells and stoves—stretching from the Spring and Autumn Period through to the end of the Qing Dynasty. Dang Zhihao, the institute's former deputy director, regards these findings as concrete proof of the ancient connectivity between central China and the Qiuci State, testifying to the multicultural fabric of historic Chinese civilization.

This museum not only acts as a significant repository of Eastern cultural history but also a tribute to the Silk Road's legacy—ensuring that the stories and treasures of the past remain accessible to the generations of today and tomorrow.