Analysis of the Bones from the Han Lingkun Tomb in Xilai Village, Ci County and Preliminary Hypothesis on his Death

Abstract

In 2013, the tomb of Han Lingkun (923-968 AD) was discovered in the construction process of Ci County, Handan City, Hebei Province. Han Lingkun was a famous general of the Northern Song dynasty (960-1127). Records of his tombstone evidenced that he died from the back disease at the age of 45. Several black bones from an adult were unearthed in the tomb. Scanning Electron Microscope analysis showed that nanoscale cinnabar was detected both on the surface and interior of the black bone. This paper puts forward some possible explanations about the appearance of cinnabar in the black bone: a.Cinnabar entered Han's bones before his death. In this case, cinnabar may be related to the cause of his death.b.Cinnabar was used in the funeral of Han Lingkun.c.The bone was contaminated by the cinnabar from the environment.Amongst these explanations, the first has the most possibility. This research may provide preliminary clues for the death of Han Lingkun, and also devotes to the study of funeral culture in the Song dynasty as well as the toxicology.