Chamber of Southern Song tomb reawakens history

The specifications of the stone chamber in Mausoleum No 7 are consistent with those of large stone chambers previously discovered, such as the one in Mausoleum No 1, he explains.

Archaeologists have already uncovered a long corridor on one side of the tomb, suggesting a symmetrical layout with corridors on both flanks. The courtyard-style structure extends southward into the tea fields.

The scale of Mausoleum No 7 is vast, and archaeologists believe that, above the stone burial chamber, there should have been a turtle-head hall that was designed to house and shield the top of the stone chamber from the elements. In front of it, foundations of an offering hall would have hosted rituals and worship.

Currently, a significant number of architectural remains are still preserved beneath the tea fields, Li says.

It represents a milestone that confirms half of the historically recorded "Seven Emperors and Seven Empresses" have now been located, according to the archaeological team.