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Stone Coffins Discovered in Tibet
Researchers discovered eight groups of ancient tombs near a lake in Nyima County, a less populated area of north Tibet. Stone coffins, in good order, were found in tombs currently being excavated, according to Beijing Review.
People rarely visit Gowang Lake, 4,650 meters above sea level. Since its development in the 1970s, herdsmen have started living there, but they have no tradition of stone coffin burials. In addition, there are no black rocks, used to make the stone coffins, around the area. Cewang, an archeologist from Tibet University, concluded that the tomb is an early relic.
Ancient tombs containing stone coffins have been found in many places in Tibet. Of all, the most typical ones in Lhasa and Qamdo have a history of 3,000-4,000 years. The tradition of stone coffin burial can be dated back more than 1,300 years before Buddhism was introduced to Tibet. Tombs discovered in less populated areas of north Tibet can probably be attributed to other ethnic groups. The tombs are to be further excavated and researched. The current excavation has already provided important materials for the study of the history and culture of Tibet.
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