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On the west bank of Lop Nur Lake, which
is now a lake of sand instead of water, the Ancient City of Loulan was
founded in the 2nd century BC in an oasis with rich water network. It
suddenly waned into the history after about 800 years flourish. The city,
once the capital of State Loulan which was one of the 36 Western Regions
states, occupied very significant position on the Silk Road. However it
simply vanished in the middle of the 6th century AD. At the beginning
of last century, a Swedish explorer Sven Hedin accidentally discovered
the city buried in desert in his exploration. Discovery startled the world
from then to present.
The city has already totally collapsed into dust. The only recognizable
structures are a pagoda which is the largest structure in the ruins,
and a seems-to-be office which still has painted timber traces.
Archeologists believe there was once a water tunnel running through
the city and dividing it into two functional parts. Large amounts of
potsherds, wood pieces, coins, jewelries and wood slip documents are
listed in the archaeological finds, which provide us many clues of the
ancient city.
Last December, there were greater finds around the ruins. Archaeologists
found the graveyard which was lost after its previous discovery. On
a giant sand dune, there are densely distributed wood stakes which are
apparently arrayed around a column like genital. Hundreds of cymbiform
coffins scatter around, while most of them are broken, with mummies
lying around. Among one of them, one coffin contains a well-preserved
mummy female with Caucasian features. Archaeologists also found colorfully
painted and crosshatched coffins, remaining new. A real size wood statue
with clear female characteristics, though cracking and crippled, proves
that early Loulanese could produce fairly good artistic workpieces.
The graveyard is, Archaeologists believe, a holy place where early Loulanese
prayed for strong reproductive ability.
The discovery may explain why the active and flourishing oasis vanished.
It is discovered early Loulanese preferred Sun Tomb which consists
of 7 circles of logs which become thicker and thicker from the center
to the outer circle, radiating like the sun. The unique and spectacular
burying form prevailed and undermined Loulan's existence. Large amount
of trees was consumed before Loulanese realized and legislated to control
wood consumption and to protect woods and trees. However it seemed to
be late and the city swallowed by the fierce desert.
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