Four important archaeological discoveries on the Silk Road in China announced yesterday:

1) In Qinghai, a royal tomb from the Tibetan Empire, circa 700, excavated Sept. 2018 to Sept. 2019; with murals, a gilt crown and a gold cup inlaid with turquoise. http://kaogu.cssn.cn/zwb/xccz/201911/t20191122_5047322.shtml

2) In Gansu, discovered on 25 September 2019, the tomb of Murong Zhi 慕容智, 3rd son of Murong Nuohebo, last khan of the Tuyuhun kingdom, who died in 691 aged 42. http://kaogu.cssn.cn/zwb/xccz/201911/t20191122_5047349.shtml

His wooden coffin is covered with silk cloth with elephants marching left and right.

A stone epitaph identifies the occupant of the tomb. This is the cover for the epitaph, inscribed "大周故慕容府君墓誌" = "Tomb epitaph for the deceased Lord Murong of the Great Zhou" (Great Zhou refers to the short-lived Zhou dynasty established by Empress Wu Zetian).

3) In Qinghai, at the Reshui tomb complex dating to the 6th-8th centuries, a large mausoleum was excavated between Sept. 2018 and Oct. 2019 in response to a case of tomb robbery. http://kaogu.cssn.cn/zwb/xccz/201911/t20191122_5047473.shtml

At the tomb entrance is a pit with the skeletons of six horses.

Various items of fine jewellery have been found, indicating the high status of the occupant.

4) In Xinjiang Yuli County, one of a series of Tang dynasty beacon towers first surveyed by Stein in 1914, has been under excavation for the last month (and is still continuing). http://kaogu.cssn.cn/zwb/xccz/201911/t20191122_5047480.shtml

Among the items found so far are some plates of armour ...

... and the remains of Chinese documents written on paper and wood.