The third phase of excavation is to begin on Saturday (20th June) in the largest of three pits containing the terracotta army in Xi’an, northwest China. Archaeologists are hoping to find more clay figures and unravel some of the mysteries left behind by the “First Emperor”.
Liu Zhancheng, an archaeologist, said that his team hoped to find a clay figure that appeared to be “in command” of the huge underground army.
After a gap of two decades, digging was permitted to restart by officials thanks to technological advances that ensure the still – buried warriors keep their original colours once they are exposed to the air.
To read more about Terracotta Army click here.
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The fifth update of the Confucius family tree has recently ended in east China’s Shandong Province, putting the revered Chinese philosopher’s descendants at more than 2 million.
The latest revision took 10 years to complete. It gives the most complete and systematic record of Confucius genealogy, said Kong Deyong, a 77th-generation descendant and founder of the Confucius Genealogy Compilation Committee. “The previous revision in 1937 included 600,000 members. Since the new revision started in 1998, we have collected data from more than 1.3 million new people. Another 11,000 members registered after we stopped soliciting for possible descendants. It took time to confirm whether their identities conform to the Confucius genealogy”, Kong said.
The new list, which includes overseas and female descendants for the first time, is expected to be published sometime around Confucius’ 2560th birthday which falls on the 28th September 2009. Confucius’ family tree recorded 83 generations of his offspring. The newest descendent is a little girl in Liaoning Province.
Confucius, born in 551 B.C. in Shandong, was a great teacher and thinker whose theories held sway as orthodox ideology in China for more than 2,000 years. His teachings, which advocate peace and social harmony, have enjoyed a renaissance in China in recent years.
The Chinese New Year – the lunar year of the Earth Ox – begins on Monday, January 26th 2009. The Earth Ox (there are four other types of Ox) is believed to be dependable, patient, methodical and calm.
Celebrations can continue for up to fifteen days until the full moon on the 9th February 2009 and include traditional customs such as discarding old things, spring-cleaning, getting a haircut, and repaying debts before New Year’s Day. Most important of all is the family reunion dinner on New Year’s Eve.
The earth element is about stability and any movement will be slow and steady. The Ox is considered to be the most persevering and responsible of the twelve animal signs and its influence will make us more hard-working and inspire us to bring some order to our business and home lives after the turbulence of the Rat Year.
Top Tips for the Year of the Earth Ox
1. Avoid short-cuts and quick-fixes
Earth holds back water and communications can easily be hindered. Extra care will be needed to avoid misunderstandings.
2. Check the small print
Put the pedantic nature of the Ox to good use by checking the small print in all documents.
3. Marry one!
And finally, think about marrying, or making an Ox person (born in 1949, 1961,1973, or 1985) your partner. The Ox is a lover of stability, a great traditionalist and a homemaker.