In 1939, the research team of Swiss archaeologist Bergman Folke found a series of tombs at the Xiaohe site, located in the Taklamakan desert, in the Xinjiang autonomous region, China.
The discovery was forgotten for 60 years until researchers at the Xinjiang Institute of Cultural Relics and Archeology returned to excavate the tombs in 2000. Five years later, the entire excavation process just completed.
The entire excavation area stretches over an unprecedentedly large area. According to Ancient Origins , archaeologists found 330 tombs located in many different layers, especially 15 intact mummies. The mummies were placed in boat-shaped wooden coffins, buried face down on the ground. Clothes and jewelry were buried with the mummy, placed in a small basket. The mummies were wrapped in woolen clothes and cowhide, so carefully that not a single grain of sand could get inside.
According to experts, the harsh environment and dry weather in the Taklamakan Desert become the perfect conditions to preserve mummies intact over time. The archaeological team also found 6 coffins containing wooden human figures. The wooden stems have the same shape, represent men and are engraved with a red X.
However, one of the most outstanding discoveries at the Tieu Ha relic site is the mummy “Princess Tieu Ha”. The mummy is preserved in almost intact condition, dating back to about 4,000 years ago.
Test and research results show that this is the mummy of a princess who died young. Modern analytical technology has helped archaeologists visualize the beauty of “Princess Tieu Ha” when she was alive.
Accordingly, the girl has smooth skin, a high nose, long, red hair, long, curled eyelashes, and looks more like a European than a Chinese. She also possesses a charming smile. These characteristics show that “Princess Tieu Ha” is a beauty.
DNA test results also showed that the mummies possessed a hybrid genetic makeup between Eastern and Western people. A male mummy was determined to have human genes from Eastern Europe.
In addition, another strange thing is that archaeologists have searched for clues within hundreds of kilometers of the burial site, but have not discovered any connection to the people buried at the site. only Tieu Ha, like they came to Xinjiang from far away places. Therefore, experts are curious about where this ancient princess came from.
One of the theories is that she came from somewhere between Southeast Europe and the Ural Mountains. Princess Tieu Ha and her group had a long time settling in the Taklamakan desert. After her death, the princess was buried here.
Not only does she have a beautiful appearance, she also wears an impressive outfit, a white pointed hat and high-necked fur-lined shoes.
However, there are a lot of questions like what happens to people like Princess Tieu Ha? Where they came from and why they disappeared… is still a mystery to this day.
