An exhibition on the latest archaeological findings from the Baling mausoleum belonging to Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220) opened on Jan 16 at the Hanyangling Museum in Xi'an.

This exhibition, the first of its kind, uses an archaeological lens to explore the evolution of Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 24) imperial tombs and the cultural significance hidden within them.

Visitors appreciate pottery figurines on display at the exhibition hall. [Photo/Xi'an Daily]

The exhibition showcases 88 artifacts unearthed from the Baling mausoleum, 40 from the Hanyangling tomb, and 35 cultural relics.

The exhibition is divided into three sections. The "Tracing Imperial Tombs" section explores the development and transformation of Western Han imperial tombs, using examples from the Baling and Hanyangling mausoleums. The "Exploring Wenjing" section delves into specific measures of statecraft from the "Wenjing Governance" era, focusing on political stability, military strength, and benevolent rule. The "Snapshots of Governance" section features artifacts, such as pottery, gold, silver, and musical instruments, and tells their historical stories.

The Baling archaeological work had a significant impact and earned several prestigious awards, including "China's Top 10 Archaeological Discoveries of 2021" and "World's Top 10 Archaeological Discoveries in 2023".