The file picture taken on Dec. 30, 2009 shows archaeologists work at the site where the Mausoleum of Cao Cao is located in Anyang, a city in central China's Henan Province. The Mausoleum of Cao Cao, a legendary Chinese warlord during the Three Kingdoms period (208-280 A.D.), has recently been declared as Cultural Relics under Provincial Protection. The tomb is located near the Yellow River and the city of Anyang, where Cao Cao ruled the Kingdom of Wei from 208 to 220, when he died at the age of 65. [Xinhua]

The empty pit

Although the excavation of the mausoleum is almost complete, archaeologists are still puzzled by the purpose of the No.1 pit, which was found to contain only an iron sword.

"The tomb was built at the same period as the main tomb, and the two are only 30 meters apart. The No. 1 pit is smaller and less decorated, which suggests it is a satellite tomb," said Pan Weibin, a chief researcher with the provincial bureau.

He said the tomb had been severely damaged with seven holes opened by tomb robbers.

There are many assumptions about the tomb. Some said it had been occupied by Cao Ang, eldest son of Cao Cao, who died before his father.

Popular speculation has it the tomb might have stored Cao's weapons, or jewelry, or books.

Liu Qingzhu, member of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), said the function of the satellite tomb was still a mystery, but it must have reflected Cao Cao's thoughts.

He said experts have generally ruled out theories that the tomb had been occupied by Cao Cao's wife or one of his favorite concubines, as the tomb's standard suggested it was of a lower class.

The file picture taken on Dec. 30, 2009 shows archaeologists work at the site where the Mausoleum of Cao Cao is located in Anyang, a city in central China's Henan Province. The Mausoleum of Cao Cao, a legendary Chinese warlord during the Three Kingdoms period (208-280 A.D.), has recently been declared as Cultural Relics under Provincial Protection. The tomb is located near the Yellow River and the city of Anyang, where Cao Cao ruled the Kingdom of Wei from 208 to 220, when he died at the age of 65.[Xinhua]

New findings

During CCTV's live broadcast to mark the fifth Chinese Cultural Heritage Day Saturday, a ninth stone stele engraved with characters showing the name of a weapon used by the general from the No. 2 tomb was unearthed.

However, the stele's upper part was missing.

"The missing fragment should carry the engraved characters of Weiwuwang or the King of Wei like the eight other steles. However, all of the steles and stone carvings with the king's name have suffered human damage," said Liu, of the CASS.

He said the severity of destruction surprised archaeologists. Besides the damage to items with the king's name, the male skull discovered in the front of the main chamber indicated that the body had been dragged out the coffin and the face smashed.

Experts assumed that Cao Cao's rivals caused some of the destruction as well as tomb robbers.