3000-Year-Old Mysterious Hanging Coffins in China

3000-Year-Old Mysterious Hanging Coffins in China.
In the remote, mountainous regions of Sichuan and Yunnan provinces in ancient China, a remarkable archaeological mystery unfolds - the phenomenon of the Hanging Coffins. This enigmatic burial practice, attributed to the lost Bo Tribe, presents a captivating puzzle to historians and researchers alike.
The discovery of these cliff burials by the China Exploration and Research Society has brought international attention to this unique cultural heritage. The hanging coffins, suspended at daunting heights ranging from 100ft to 400ft, are an astonishing sight. They are strategically placed in between rocky cliffs, making them nearly inaccessible and thus, preserving the remains of the Bo Tribe from wild animals and potential enemies. This practice suggests a deep reverence for the afterlife, where the Bo people believed that the higher the coffin was placed, the quicker the deceased's journey to heaven would be.
Diving into the history of these coffins, it is believed that they date back to over 3000 years ago, a testament to the longevity and resilience of the Bo Tribe's traditions. However, the extinction of the Bo Tribe, following the conquest by the Ming Dynasty approximately 450 years ago, led to the loss of many of their customs and the mystery behind these aerial sepulchers.
The construction of these hanging coffins is a marvel of ancient engineering. The Bo people, utilizing rudimentary tools like axes, chisels, and hammers, crafted the coffins from single pieces of wood. Researchers speculate that bamboo climbing techniques were employed to ascend the treacherous cliffs. They found evidence of holes in the cliffs, likely made using these simple tools, where bamboo sticks could have been inserted to create a makeshift ladder or support system. This ingenuity highlights the tribe's resourcefulness and their deep connection to their natural surroundings.
Inside these coffins, artifacts such as clothes made from fine linen, akin to traditional silk making, have been discovered. This indicates that the Bo Tribe were not only skilled in burial practices but also in textile production, a skill that remarkably still exists in some rural areas of China today. These findings suggest that some members of the Bo Tribe might have survived the Ming Dynasty's onslaught, subtly preserving their ancestral traditions.
The hanging coffins of the Bo Tribe in Sichuan and Yunnan remain one of China's most intriguing archaeological mysteries. They not only offer a glimpse into a lost civilization but also challenge our understanding of ancient burial practices and the lengths to which a culture will go to honor and protect their deceased.