Relics from tomb of Fu Hao on display in Shandong

(chinadaily.com.cn) Updated: 2016-07-25

The Shandong Museum opened an exhibition on July 20, displaying a large variety of historic relics unearthed from the tomb of Fu Hao, which dates back to China's ancient Shang Dynasty (1600 BC-1046 BC), according to Xinhuanet.com.

The Legend Fu Hao exhibition, opened on July 20, displays a large variety of historic relics from the tomb of the wife of King Wu Ding of the Shang Dynasty. [Photo/news.cn]

Fu Hao was one of the many wives of King Wu Ding and, unusually for that time, also served as a military general and high priestess.

Preparation for the exhibition began in March, jointly organized by the Shandong Museum and the Institute of Archaeology in Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

The tomb of Fu Hao, discovered in 1976, is the only Shang Dynasty royal tomb that has been preserved intact. There are 1,928 precious relics excavated from the tomb, which reflect the highly-developed level of crafting and social development at the end of the Shang Dynasty.

Entitled "Legend Fu Hao", the three-month exhibition will showcase 474 cultural relics, including bronze ware, jade, oracle bones and other instruments Fu Hao used when she was alive.

The 117.5-kilogram Simuxin copper square basin, made by Fu Hao's children to pay homage to their mother. [Photo/news.cn]

Among the relics, a huge Simuxin copper square basin weighing 117.5 kilograms is a centerpiece. The tripod was cast by Fu Hao's children to pay homage to their mother.

From the exhibition, visitors can get a better understanding about the life of this emperor's wife, her beauty as a woman, her respectful status as a queen and her valor as a soldier, said a staff member at the museum.

A delicately crafted jade bowl. [Photo/news.cn]