Scholars feud over Cao Cao claims

Third-century general and warlord Cao Cao is one of the most colourful and controversial figures in Chinese history; lamented by some as a merciless tyrant, praised by others as a genius who treated his subordinates like family.

Popularised in history books and literary works for centuries, Cao Cao captured the Chinese imagination and when Henan cultural heritage authorities claimed to have found his tomb late last year, it stirred both excitement and controversy.

The claim drew the scrutiny of academics from diverse fields of study. Some criticised the Henan authorities' conclusion as premature, and others dismissed it as a scam to cash in on the fame of the dead general.

The war of words over the tomb also provoked renewed hand-wringing in the wider community over a perceived culture of dishonesty permeating Chinese society.

In a high-profile press conference in Beijing on December 27, Henan cultural heritage authorities and the Anyang city government announced that excavation work at a tomb in the village of Xigaoxue by a provincial archaeological team had uncovered more than 250 artefacts and three sets of human bones, which led them to conclude that the tomb was that of Cao Cao.

The archaeological team - which has the support of respected archaeologists such as Liu Qingzhu of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences - said its conclusion was based on thorough studies of the tomb's layout, stone tablets referring to Cao Cao as Emperor Wu of the Kingdom of Wei, as well as other unearthed items.