Featuring over 350 treasures in jade, gold, silver, bronze and earthenware, The Search for Immortality takes you into the 2000 year-old tombs of Han Dynasty China, revealing an epic story of lust for power both in life and death.
The Han Dynasty (206 BC – AD 220) founded unified rule in China but to maintain their vast territory they endured constant struggles for supremacy, both within the empire and from without. In a world first, see the tomb finds of two rival power factions: the Han royal family and the Kingdom of Nanyue in southern China.
Both seeking control of the southern lands, their rivalry continued to the afterlife in tomb palaces of incredible wealth. See the treasures that proclaimed their power and discover how they aspired to eternal life.
A part of the London 2012 Festival, this is one of the most important exhibitions of ancient royal treasures ever to travel outside China. Unusually for important exhibitions of this type, admission is free so don't miss it.
http://www.tombtreasuresofhanchina.org/
with virtual exhibition here
http://www.tombtreasuresofhanchina.org/the-exhibition/virtual-exhibition/
The tombs of the Han Emperors, most of whom were buried around the capital of Chang’an (modern Xi’an), were probably looted in antiquity and none has been scientifically excavated in modern times. However, these are not the only Han royal tombs to have survived.
In the early 2nd century BC some of the closest and most trusted relatives of the Emperors were awarded territories within the Han realm over which they ruled as kings.
A number of these royal tombs in eastern China (especially around the Han family’s home town of Xuzhou) were discovered during road building and other projects or as a result of attempted robberies, and excavated in the 1980s and 90s. These excavations have provided a wealth of evidence about Han period tombs, funerary practices and their beliefs about the afterlife.
The Han emperors aspired to be seen as strong and successful rulers who left their mark on history. As such, among the most important of all imperial acts was preparing for an afterlife as comfortable and glorious as that enjoyed on earth.
A map of the tombs around Xuzhou
http://www.tombtreasuresofhanchina.org/the-exhibition/han-empire/the-han-royal-tombs/
Something is not right. This message is just to keep things from messing up down the road