China Focus: Highlights of top 10 archeological finds in 2014 (6)

6. Gurugyam Cemetery and Chuvthag Cemetery in Ngari, Tibet. The excavations of the Gurugyam Cemetery and Chuvthag Cemetery in Ngari, Tibet reveal the mystery of the Zhangzhung Kingdom in west Tibet that dates back to 2,000 years ago. The burials yield silks, golden death masks, gilt bronzes, silvers, irons, potteries, beads and massive human and animal bones.

The two cemeteries belong to the same Zhangzhung culture which extends to the whole Himalayan region. The finds showed a possible trade route linking Tibet to other parts of China. According to the findings, 1,800 years ago, people in the Zhangzhung Kingdom had already began to drink tea and raise cattle.