A Large Number of Relics were Unearthed at the Sangdalongguo Cemetery of Zhada County in Ngari Prefecture

A recent archaeological study showed that a large number of relics were unearthed at the Sangdalongguo Cemetery in Ngari, Tibet, among which the wooden figurines on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau were the first to be discovered.

The archaeological discoveries of this cemetery provided new materials for exploring the early social structure and life patterns of western Tibet, as well as the interaction between Tibet and the southern foot of the Himalayas, Xinjiang, and the Central Plains.

Sangdalongguo Cemetery in Ngari

“The Sangdalongguo cemetery is located in Zhada County, Ngari Prefecture. Tombs in this cemetery are densely distributed. The unearthed relics include pottery, bronze, buckle, stoneware, textiles, beads, wooden coffins, etc. Among them, the unearthed wooden figurines are the first to be discovered on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and their shape and characteristics are similar to those of tombs in Turpan, Xinjiang." He Wei, an associate researcher of the Tibet Autonomous Region Cultural Relics Conservation Research Institute, pointed out that "Since about 300 BC, large-scale gatherings of people have occurred here. During this period, they experienced the germination of political entities and vigorous development of production and life. They came from the surrounding areas including Xinjiang, northern Nepal, northern India, Lhasa of Tibet, the hinterland of Shannan, and Han. The culture blends and merges here. After 600 AD, the Sangdalongguo Cemetery is no longer in use, ending the crowd's activities here."

The Relics were unearthed from Sandalongguo Cemetery in Ngari

In December 2017, this cemetery was firstly discovered during the infrastructure construction project in Zhada County. Subsequently, the archaeological excavation of the Sangdalongguo Cemetery was included in the "Archaeological China" project by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, and was supported by special funds for the protection of important cultural relics. After four years of archaeological excavations (2017-2020) by the Tibet Autonomous Region Cultural Relics Institute and Zhada County Cultural Relics Bureau, the project has achieved important phased results.

According to reports, during the years from 2017 to 2020, a total of 7 pieces (6 pieces) of gold and silver facings were unearthed from the three tombs in the Sangdallongguo Cemetery. The shape of the facings is similar to the nearby Quta Cemetery, Gurujia Cemetery, Malali Cemetery in northwest India and Sangzong Cemetery in northern Nepal. In addition, the two unearthed bronzes have no footholds, which are similar to those in Sichuan and Hubei provinces. The unearthed single-eared duckbill and flow-shaped pot is similar to the pottery of the Lhasa Qugong site in central Tibet.

Recommended Itinerary to Zhada County: 17 Days Tibet Ngari Mount Kailash and Lake Manasaovar and Guge Kingdom Small Group Tour