The Joint Tomb of Emperor Yang of Sui and Empress Xiao- Stunning Relics and Legendary Stories

Hello everyone, welcome to History and Culture. Here, we'd like to talk with you about a particularly fascinating historical topic. The joint tomb of Emperor Yang of Sui, Sui Yangdi, and Empress Xiao. Discovered in Cao Zhuang village, Yangzhou, Jiangsu province. The excavation process unfolded like a suspense novel. Full of unexpected twists and surprises. And the precious artifacts unearthed from the tomb. Are truly breathtaking. The story begins in April 2013. At an ordinary construction site in Cao Zhuang village, Xihu town, Yangzhou, Jiangsu. Workers were busy at full tilt. When suddenly, halfway through digging, the ground collapsed. Revealing a large hole. They peered inside and sensed this was no ordinary find. It looked like an ancient tomb. They immediately stopped work and reported it to the cultural relics authorities. Soon after, archaeologists arrived on the scene. A preliminary survey revealed. That the bricks and construction style pointed to an astonishing era, the Sui dynasty. Even more surprising, it turned out to be a joint burial. Meaning two people were likely interred here. The archaeological team quickly launched a rescue excavation. This tomb was designated Tomb No. 1. With another nearby chamber labeled Tomb No. 2. During the cleaning process. Experts found that although the main chamber had badly collapsed. Its layout remained clear. A main chamber, east and west side rooms. A passageway and corridor, all intact. The tomb itself was not large, about 3.92 m long and 3.84 m wide. Far from the, grand imperial mausoleum, people might imagine. Tests showed that the bricks matched those used in the Sui-era city walls of Jiangdu. Confirming the burial dated to the Sui dynasty. Then, during the ongoing excavation. A stone epitaph slab emerged. Instantly electrifying the atmosphere. Caked in mud and its inscriptions blurred by a millennium of weathering. It was carefully lifted out. After cleaning, a line of characters in the upper right corner became clear. Epitaph of the late Emperor Yang of Sui. Seeing these words, the staff on site froze. Their excitement plain to see. Could this really be the tomb of Emperor Yang Guang of Sui? Even more thrilling, the slab also bore the words, 14th year of the Dai era. The very year, AD 618. In which historical records state Sui Yangdi died. Yet alongside their excitement, experts were puzzled. The tomb was far too small. Completely unlike the lavish image of an imperial mausoleum. And even simpler than some noble tombs of the Sui dynasty found in the north. Moreover, local legends in Yangzhou have long spoken of Emperor Yang of Sui's death in Jiangdu. And there is even a well-known mausoleum of Sui Yangdi nearby. Could this modest tomb really be the resting place of such a famous emperor? The team decided to keep digging. In search of more evidence. As the excavation progressed, a number of burial goods emerged. One jade belt drew particular attention. Made of 13 jade plaques, exquisitely crafted from smooth, lustrous stone. It still shone despite a thousand years underground. Experts instantly recognized it as something no ordinary noble could possess. In the Sui dynasty, the number of jade plaques on a belt. Was strictly regulated by rank. A belt with 13 plaques signified the very highest status. Likely imperial. Combined with the epitaph's inscription. The team felt increasingly certain, tomb number one. Was probably the tomb of Emperor Yang of Sui himself. Shortly after, the discovery of a gilded bronze artifact. Further supported this conclusion. Lavishly shaped and crafted in a style similar to items unearthed at the Tang dynasty's Daming Palace. It was clearly a high-grade palace object. The tomb also yielded several lively ceramic figurines. Depicting civil and military officials. After all, what ordinary family would bury such figures with their dead? All the clues pointed to one conclusion. The tomb's occupant was no ordinary person. Regrettably, however. No skeletal remains were found in tomb number one. Only two teeth were recovered near the end of the excavation. According to analysis by experts from Nanjing University. The two teeth belonged to a male about 50 years old. Matching the age recorded in historical sources at the time of Emperor Yang of Sui's death. Even so, the lack of a complete skeleton. Meant the experts were cautious about drawing conclusions. To truly confirm the tomb owner's identity, more evidence would be needed. At this point, it's worth reviewing Emperor Yang's life. To understand why this tomb is so unusual. Yang Guang, Emperor Yang of Sui, was the second ruler of the Sui dynasty. And his reign was highly controversial. He built the Grand Canal, launched campaigns against Goguryeo. And toured the Jiangnan region. These feats showed his ambition. But also stirred deep resentment among the people. In AD 618, while touring Jiangdu. Yang Guang faced a mutiny. His subordinate Yuan Huaji surrounded him with troops. And he was ultimately killed in a coup. Historical records state he was strangled. And that Empress Xiao and the palace women. Fashioned a simple coffin from bedboards. And hastily buried him near the Luzhou Hall of the Jiangdu Palace. Around today's Guanyin Mountain area in Yangzhou. After Yang Guang's death. His burial was complicated. Once Yuan Huaji left Jiangdu. The local commander Chen Lang, grateful for past favors. Moved Yang Guang's body for reburial beneath Wugong Terrace. Then, in AD 622. Emperor Gaozu of Tang ordered yet another reburial. Moving Yang Guang's tomb to Leitang. The very site of today's tomb number one in Xiaozhuang village. Historical sources also record that in AD 648. After Empress Xiao's death. Emperor Taizong of Tang sent her remains to Jiangdu. To be buried with Yang Guang. This matches exactly the joint tomb discovered in Xiaozhuang village. To verify whether tomb number two belonged to Empress Xiao. The archaeological team began excavating it in August 2013. This tomb was slightly larger. 12.64 meters long and 5.9 meters wide. With a finely built chamber. Complete with niches and carefully designed side rooms. During the clearing process. More than a hundred precious artifacts were unearthed. Including pottery, lacquerware, and jade items. One celadon porcelain goose stood out for its elegant shape. And smooth glaze, reflecting the owner's refined taste. Another find was a white jade seal. Of the highest grade. An item used only by the emperor on inspection tours and rituals. Something ordinary people could never possess. Even more striking was a set of bronze chime bells and bronze chime stones. 16 pieces in total, arranged in two tiers. Such ritual musical instruments had been treasured since the Shang and Zhou dynasties. And by the Sui and Tang periods were strictly royal exclusives. Their discovery virtually ruled out the possibility. That the tomb owner was a mere noble or prince. Most thrilling of all. Archaeologists uncovered traces of a phoenix crown in the soil. At first it looked like nothing more than a clump of earth. But experts immediately recognized it. As the ceremonial headdress reserved for an empress. The appearance of the phoenix crown all but confirmed tomb number two belonged to Empress Xiao. When the third layer was cleared. Archaeologists found a relatively complete female skeleton. Tests by Nanjing University specialists showed. She was about 1.5 meters tall and over 70 years old. According to historical records, Empress Xiao was nearly 80 at her death. A perfect match with the findings. In addition, soil analysis of tomb number two showed. That the burial pit had been dug at a later stage. Matching historical records describing Empress Xiao being brought there for joint burial. In November 2013. After combining evidence from the epitaphs. Burial goods. Skeletal analysis. And written sources. Experts officially concluded that the joint tomb in Zhaozhuang village. Belonged to Emperor Yang Guang of Sui and Empress Xiao. This tomb is in fact the Leitang tomb recorded in the chronicles. As for why the burial is relatively small in scale. Experts explained that the damp soil of the Jiangnan region. Makes deep excavation difficult. So tombs there are naturally smaller than noble tombs in the north. Moreover, as a fallen emperor, Yang Guang's funeral specifications were restricted. So a simpler burial would be expected. This brings us to the most precious artifact from the tomb. The phoenix crown. When discovered, it was caked in mud and badly corroded. Making it impossible to remove directly from the tomb. Archaeologists carefully packed it together with the bricks beneath. And sent it to a laboratory for restoration. Soon, the Huazhou Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology. Together with the Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Conservation Institute. Conducted detailed research on the crown. X-ray scans revealed. That the phoenix crown consisted of two horizontal beams and three arched bands. Topped with 13 flowering trees. Adorned with 166 petals and 33 stamens. Curiously, an empress's phoenix crown normally has 12 flowering trees. Why did Empress Zhao's have one more? Experts speculate. This may have been a special commission from Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin. The number 13 symbolized supreme status in the Sui dynasty. Reflecting special respect for Empress Zhao. The craftsmanship of the crown is stunning. Made from 10 materials including gold, copper, and Han white jade. It employed 12 different techniques such as hammering, filigree, inlaying, and beading. At the back were 12 teardrop-shaped pendants. That would sway gracefully with movement, accentuating its magnificence. During cleaning, experts also found cotton inside the crown. Likely padding used by the artisans to shape it. Amazingly, this thousand-year-old cotton had not decayed despite the humid environment. Because the crown was so badly corroded. Cleaning it proved extremely difficult. Flower stalks and petals were often fused together and would break at the slightest mishandling. Experts decided not to clean it completely. Leaving some soil in place to protect the artifact. And meanwhile commissioned a replica phoenix crown. For display purposes. After 900 days of painstaking work. The replica was finally completed. Over 200 petals were carved by hand. With its craftsmanship and materials faithfully reproducing the original. Capturing both its form and spirit. Today, the two crowns. The authentic one still bearing traces of earth. And the exquisitely recreated replica. Are displayed side by side in the museum. As if telling a story of rebirth through history and craftsmanship. The discovery of this tomb. Not only revealed the secret of Emperor Yang and Empress Zhao's joint burial. But also raised a number of unsolved mysteries. For example. Why did Emperor Gaozu of Tang, Li Yuan. Issue repeated orders to rebury Emperor Yang of Sui? And why did Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin. Treat Empress Zhao with such generosity? Granting her burial goods of the highest rank? Behind these questions lies a web of complex historical ties. Emperor Yang of Sui and Emperor Gaozu of Tang, Li Yuan. Were cousins. Their mothers were sisters. Li Shimin, in turn, was Emperor Yang's nephew by marriage. Having married Emperor Yang's daughter and thus becoming his son-in-law. These family ties may explain why the two Tang emperors. Placed such importance on Emperor Yang's burial. As for Empress Zhao. She was truly a legendary woman in history. Born into the imperial family of the Southern Liang Dynasty. She came from a prominent lineage. But because she was born in February. Considered inauspicious. She endured a turbulent childhood. She later married Yang Guang. And became Empress of the Sui Dynasty. Winning his deep favor through her intelligence and gentleness. After Yang Guang's death. Empress Zhao's fate took dramatic turns. She successively fell into the hands of Yuan Huaji. Leader of the rebel forces. Dou Jianda. Leader of the Hebei insurgents. And the Eastern Turkic Khans Chuluo and Jili. Wandering from place to place. Only after the Tang defeated the Turks. Did Li Shimin bring her back to Chang'an. By then Empress Zhao was over 60. She spent her final years in peace. And died at the age of 80. Li Shimin restored her imperial title. And with full ceremony. Sent her to Jiangdu to be buried with Yang Guang. Many unofficial tales about Empress Zhao circulated among the people. Some claimed she captivated six men. Including Li Shimin. With her beauty and wisdom. But the official histories portray her differently. She was not eager to meddle in politics. But was renowned for her virtue. When she returned to Chang'an she was already 64. While Li Shimin was only 33. Their relationship was far more likely based on kinship and political considerations. Then on the romantic stories told in popular lore. Li Shimin's generous treatment of Empress Zhao. May have been partly a strategy to win over the great families of the Jiangnan region. And partly an expression of respect and sympathy for her extraordinary life. The phoenix crown. Was a symbol of that respect. It was not only a pinnacle of Sui – Tang craftsmanship. But also carried the emotional weight of Empress Zhao's turbulent life story. Today, the joint tomb and its artifacts. Allow us to glimpse the complex history of the Sui – Tang transition. And inspire greater respect for Empress Zhao. This truly remarkable woman. Her story is far more compelling than the popular legends. 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