Archaeologists Open 2,000-Year-Old Outer Coffin in China

JIANGXI PROVINCE, CHINA—Archaeologists have opened the lid of the external coffin thought to contain the remains of Liu He, the Marquis of Haihun. The well-preserved inner coffin, which dates to the Western Han Dynasty (206 B.C. – A.D. 24), was decorated with lacquerware and gold foil. Gold and jade items had also been placed between the inner and outer coffin. “We are glad to see the interior coffin is well preserved. There are lacquer paintings on its surface,” project leader Xin Lixiang told CCTV America. His team may find more information about the tomb’s occupant when the interior coffin is opened. To read more about archaeology in China, go to "The Tomb Raider Chronicles."