Guest Author - Caroline Baker

Buried beneath the headlines over oil prices, the economy and the war on Iraq was a small article posted about the progress of China’s work on the Olympics and their discovery.

Even before China officially won the bid for the 2008 Olympics, the city has been undergoing a great deal of change. Economic boom has continually changed the face of Beijing, not that this city has ever seen rest. Over the decades, the past has been buried, forgotten, and then dug up.

As the city readies to accept the Olympics, the construction around the shooting range unearthed a tomb dating back to the Ming dynasty, about 500 to 600 years ago. While still not confirmed, the Beijing Morning Press stated it is believed to be of eunuchs that served the court.

Unearthing relics and gravesites is not a new thing in the capitol city. However, the heightened attention brought about by the international event has perhaps made the officials proceed with more caution. The construction was halted and sections quarantined in order for archaeologists to begin their investigation.

Over the centuries, between wars, migrations of the capitol, and then the Cultural Revolution, much of the past was destroyed or lost. During the recent decades, China has worked to revitalized national patriotism though discoveries of relics and China’s rich history.

An earlier find, back in 2001, found in a ruined pagoda in Hangzhou created quite a stir. The small golden box was said to have contained hair of the Buddha. While people clamored to see the box revealed, some also feared that the relic could not be properly protected once it had been removed.

Only time will tell if the most recent site found in Beijing will uncover anything of historic value to share with the world.