Tombs of Western Xia emperors yield their secrets after a millennium
Between the 11th and 13th centuries CE,
in the northwest region of China,
the Tangut people established the Xi Sha,
or Western Sha Dynasty,
which lasted for nearly 200 years.
It stood alongside the Song, Liao, and Jin dynasties
as Topgach,
forming an important part of Chinese history.
Across the passage of time and drifting sands,
in 1972,
archaeologists at the foot of the Heilian Mountains
uncovered a chapter of history long hidden in dust.
Here lie the tombs of the Xi Sha emperors.
It is the largest, most prestigious,
and best-preserved archaeological site
from the Xi Sha period.
It is the world-renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Xi Sha Imperial Tombs.
Nine imperial mausoleums,
271 subordinate tombs,
5.03 hectares of the northern section
of ancient architectural remains,
32 sites of flood-control works,
and over 7,100 artifacts unearthed from the mausoleum area.
Together, they make up the most representative remains
of Xi Sha.
They highlight the agricultural
and pastoral interlaced zones in northwest China,
the history of integration among multiple ethnic groups
and exchanges between diverse cultures,
and bear witness to the formation
of a unified multi-ethnic nation
and the diverse yet integrated structure
of Chinese civilization.
The value of the Xi Sha Imperial Tombs
glows in the exquisite glazed architectural ornaments
and is hidden within the mysterious Xi Sha script.
The poised kalavinka, wings spread as if to take flight,
silently tells of Xi Sha's artistic heights.
The grand and majestic sculptures
perfectly embody the spirit of cultural fusion.
Xi Sha was an important hub along the ancient Silk Road
and where Eastern and Western civilizations
met and interacted.
It helped shape the course of Chinese civilization
and played an irreplaceable role
in the history of world civilization.
Today, the people of China are making every effort
to carefully protect this precious history
once buried beneath the endless desert sands.
From law and management to science, technology,
environmental protection, and education,
a comprehensive and innovative protection system
has been established.
The Modern Museum's interactive exhibition system
sets a new example for others,
offering a valuable Chinese approach
to heritage preservation for the world.
From the solemn majesty of the Imperial Tombs
to the vivid displays in museums,
from the deciphering of ancient texts
to the passing down of knowledge in classrooms,
from gazing in awe at ancient relics
to the subtle influence on modern ways of life,
history is living on in new forms,
becoming a torch that lights the way to the future.