The Horrific Truth About the Grave of 17 People Near the Great Wall

(NLDO) - After nearly two decades, the truth about the mass grave found nearly two decades ago at the fortifications north of the Great Wall has been revealed.

According to Ancient Origins, the mass grave was discovered right next to the northern fortifications of the Great Wall, which could be the remains of a "lost fortress".

The grave contained the remains of at least 17 people mixed together and showed they had been murdered in the most gruesome ways - with their bodies left intact - some 2,000 years ago.

However, for nearly two decades, archaeologists have been unclear about who they were and why they fell into such a tragic situation.

Terracotta statue depicting Chinese Han Dynasty soldiers - Photo: Mary Harrsch

A research team from Jilin University, Lanzhou University (China), Ulaanbaatar University (Mongolia) and the Institute of Archaeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences finally found the answer based on DNA analysis and ancient texts.

Writing in the Journal of Archaeological Science, the authors said they were certain that the 17 people in the ancient tomb were warriors who participated in the ancient Han-Xiongnu conflict.

The conflict between the two most powerful East Asian empires of the time lasted for 222 years, from 133 BC to 89 AD.

Among them, the site where the mass grave was found is at what is believed to be the ruins of Shouxiangcheng , a fortress mentioned in Chinese history but whose exact location is uncertain today.

This fortress was part of the northern frontline of the Han Dynasty during the ancient conflict. Today, it is the site of Bayanbulag, located in Mongolia.

Prolonged clashes over generations increased hostility, leading to brutal massacres of prisoners, according to researchers.

The team sequenced some DNA samples taken from the victims' bones and measured isotope levels to get a rough idea of ​​their origins.

DNA results showed they were all Han soldiers who were apparently killed by Mongol steppe warriors.

Isotope analysis supports this view, showing that this individual consumed a mixed diet of plants and meat, a characteristic of Han society. In contrast, the Xiongnu diet relied heavily on meat and dairy products.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/su-that-khung-khiep-ve-mo-17-nguoi-gan-van-ly-truong-thanh-196250323092616306.htm