Authorities investigate ‘improper’ excavation work at tomb of China’s Shakespeare
Archaeologists accused of not following approved plan at graveyard believed to contain remains of Ming dynasty playwright Tang Xianzu
Work on the recently rediscovered tomb of the renowned Chinese playwright Tang Xianzu is under investigation for an allegedly “improper” excavation, according to state media.
Archaeologists located 42 tombs in the city of Fuzhou, Jiangxi province that were thought to contain the remains of Tang – often referred to as China’s Shakespeare – and his family, the local government announced at an August 28 press conference.
But the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, an agency under the Ministry of Culture, accused the city government of not notifying it about the findings beforehand or getting the proper approval for a media briefing.
The ministry opened an investigation into the “improper” excavation on August 31, Xinhua reported.
The Ming dynasty (1368-1644) graveyard in Tang’s hometown of Fuzhou was badly damaged during the Cultural Revolution.