Ming royal tombs in Shanxi shed light on clan system

"The families they married into were either those of officials, acquaintances, or reputable local figures," Wang says.

A total of 722 artifacts were unearthed from the cemetery, including 647 pieces of glazed pottery, 43 pottery items, 14 porcelain pieces, and 18 stone epitaph pieces. The large number of glazed funerary objects, featuring figurines, models of houses, sacrificial vessels, and daily utensils, offers a unique glimpse into the secular life of the Ming imperial family.

"This is the first discovery in Shanxi of a Ming imperial clan cemetery that is both well-preserved and clearly documented in terms of lineage," she says.

Wang Qian contributed to this story.