The newly renovated Dabaotai Western Han Tombs museum in Beijing's Fengtai district officially reopened to the public on Tuesday, with two major exhibitions being unveiled, showing visitors rich history and culture of the Western Han Dynasty (202 BC-8 AD) .
The museum is built over the tombs of Western Han Dynasty prince Liu Jian and his wife at Dabaotai in the southwestern suburbs of Beijing. Built entirely of wood, the tombs are over 2,000 years old and were discovered in 1974.
Reconstructing on the original site, the renovated museum covers an area of 7,600 square meters, with an exhibition area of 2,800 square meters.
The museum showcases the preserved site of the tombs within the exhibition hall. The most distinctive feature of the Dabaotai tombs is a wall of evenly cut yellow cypress wood piled 2.7 m high that separate the tomb's outer and inner hallways. This is called "Huang Chang Ti Cou," the highest-level funeral meant of the Western Han Dynasty. "Huangchang" refers to the core of cypress wood, and "Ticou" stands for the structure where the ends of the wood are put together towards the inner part in layers. This special funeral meaning is known for its strength and moisture resistance.
Meanwhile, a starry sky dome was set up on the top, providing visitors with a more immersive viewing experience.
"The dome displays the four divine creatures of the Han Dynasty (202 BC-220 AD): the Azure Dragon, the White Tiger, the Vermillion Bird and the Black Turtle. The starry sky also represents the twenty-eight mansions popular during the Han Dynasty's astrology. We use modern technological methods, including digital technology, lighting to create an immersive atmosphere and help visitors better understand the 'Huang Chang Ti Cou'," said Yang Zhiguo, the curator.
Two major exhibitions, one temporary and one permeant, were also launched in the new museum on Tuesday, displaying the opulent lifestyle and spiritual pursuits of Western Han nobility and a view of social features in the ancient China's Youyan region during the Han Dynasty.
Beijing's Dabaotai Western Han Tombs museum reopens
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
