China News Service, Xi'an, March 28 (Reporter Alina) The reporter learned from a press conference held by the Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau on the 28th that the research team conducted a preliminary facial reconstruction of Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, Yuwen Yong, and believed that Emperor Wu had black hair and yellow skin. and brown eyes. The cause of his premature death may be arsenic poisoning and systemic diseases caused by long-term use of elixirs.
In 1993, the Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archeology accidentally discovered a high-level Northern Zhou tomb in Chenma Village, Xianyang. Unearthed text materials showed that the owner of the tomb was Yuwen Yong, Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou Dynasty. In recent years, Fudan University, Xiamen University and the Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archeology have conducted relevant scientific analysis of the human bones unearthed from Yuwenyong's tomb.
The picture shows the press conference site. Photo by Alina
During the reign of Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, Yuwen Yong, he vigorously implemented military and political reforms, unified northern China, and promoted ethnic integration, which had a profound impact on the subsequent historical process. In 578 AD, Yu Wenyong, who was only 36 years old, suffered a sudden illness and died young.
After analyzing 33 trace elements in samples of Emperor Wu's remains, the team found that the levels of arsenic, boron, and antimony in his body were significantly higher than the average levels of ancient civilians and nobles during the same period. According to experts, different parts of human bones have different metabolic rates. Since the samples were all collected from the femur of Emperor Wu's remains, it shows that these elements were accumulated in the bones during long-term diet.
The appearance of Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou Dynasty was restored. Photo courtesy of Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archeology
It is understood that during the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties when Emperor Wu lived, taking Taoist elixirs was a spiritual pursuit and lifestyle advocated by the upper class of society in order to nourish and live long. The yellow realgar, white alumite, red cinnabar, cyan Zengqing, and black Cishi correspond to the five colors of the Taoist Five Elements Principle, and were the main raw materials of the famous elixir Wushi Powder at that time.
Analysis showed that the elemental composition of Emperor Wu's sample was closest to that of Guo Siben, a nobleman from the Sui and Tang Dynasties. According to literature, Guo Siben had the habit of taking elixirs for a long time, and even received elixirs from the emperor. Emperor Wu experienced a similar accumulation of elements as Guo Siben. The elements arsenic, boron, and antimony in his bones were significantly higher. This may be due to the fact that he took elixirs with realgar, vitriol, etc. as the main ingredients.
Panoramic view of the tomb of Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou Dynasty. Photo courtesy of Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archeology
According to historical records, from 575 to 578 AD, Emperor Wu fell ill several times. When he was ill, "the malaria steamed from inside, and sores appeared on the outside" and "he developed leprosy on his body and died of the disease." This reflects that his illness was characterized by skin diseases. . In the opinion of the research team, this is also consistent with the pathological manifestations of chronic arsenic poisoning.
Experts said that after chronic arsenic poisoning, patients will develop diffuse or localized pigmentation and lesions on the skin, which will lead to changes in skin blood vessels and pain, redness and swelling in the limbs. On Emperor Wu's femur, the research team found an area of black pigmentation, which may be caused by bone marrow necrosis caused by local skin lesions after arsenic poisoning.
The picture shows the epitaph of Emperor Wu. Photo courtesy of Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archeology
In this study, the team used skull CT scanning technology to conduct a preliminary facial reconstruction of Emperor Wu. After analyzing the genetic loci that control hair, skin and pupil pigments, it is believed that Emperor Wu had black hair, yellow skin and brown eyes, which is in line with the typical Northeast Asian and East Asian appearance.
The research team's carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis of the remains of Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou Dynasty and his queen Ashina showed that Queen Ashina, who was born in the Mongolian grasslands, enjoyed the same or even better life than her hometown after settling in Chang'an, the capital of the Northern Zhou Dynasty. A dietary lifestyle based on livestock products.
The picture shows the unearthed pottery figurines. Photo courtesy of Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archeology
Queen Ashina was the daughter of the Turkic Mugan Khan, and her biological samples are important materials for tracing the origins of the Turks. From the measured data, it is speculated that the Turkic Ashina tribe may have originated from Northeast Asia of Eurasia, that is, the area from today's Northeast China to Lake Baikal in Russia. (over)