Construction worker unearths a 2,000-year-old chicken-shaped relic while building a house in south-west China.
The distinctive funerary piece is believed to date back to the Eastern Han dynasty, which ruled most of modern China from 25 AD to 220 AD.
The virtually perfectly-preserved piece was unearthed by builder Mr Wu who had been hired to dig the foundations of a new house near Suining, Sichuan Province.
In a clip – shared later on Douyin, China’s version of TikTok – the pottery piece can be seen deeply embedded into the soil some six feet below the ground.
Mr Wu told local media that as he began excavating, he came across several ceramic fragments.
And after discovering the unusual bird shape, Mr Wu said he stopped working and called police who sealed off the site and took the bird away for inspection.
The Cultural Relics Department of Suining City says the bird was probably from cliff tombs used during the Eastern Han Dynasty.
Experts are currently doing further investigations at the site.
Douyin users were all-around amazed by the discovery.
One user, titled ‘little old man’ said in a comment: “If you pay closer attention to the old soil, there are indeed signs of ancient tombs.”
Another user titled ‘Mind as clear as a mirror’ commented: “Mobilise the villagers to continue digging, and there will be more treasures.”
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Story By: Filip Dzambazoski, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency: Asia Wire Report
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