The Marquis of Haihun is a three-part documentary series that chronicled the meticulous excavation of the tomb of the Marquis of Haihun, Liu He. I’m happy to be able to find the complete series on Youtube. The narration is in Mandarin with English subtitles.
A failed tomb robbery in 2011 led to the seven-year-long archaeological excavation. The tomb was located in what was once considered a barbaric land. Astonishing treasures include a huge quantity of gold artifacts, tens of thousands of Han dynasty coins, remnants of imperial chariots and horses, exquisite jade pieces, a complete set of bronze bells, and bundles of bamboo manuscripts containing ancient texts.
Using his dramatic life of the Marquis as a central thread, the series delves into the politics and social life of the Western Han Dynasty, allowing viewers to witness the unfolding of a major archaeological discovery.
This excavation was a significant event for historians. The finds in the tomb rectified an official record of the life of the Marquis and gave archaeologists a more accurate picture of this nobleman who was Emperor for 7 days.
Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
This series is produced by China Central Television (CCTV). It is the national television broadcaster of China. There are other documentaries on this excavation, but I find this series to be a good highlight of the most important discoveries and their significance.
Happy viewing!
Featured image: File:Liu He, Marquis of Haihun.jpg – Wikimedia Commons
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