Buzz
A Qinghai shepherd witnesses his flock's unusual circling behavior in 1994, uncovering a priceless treasure.
A peculiar incident occurred in Kylin County, Qinghai, China, in 1994, involving a shepherd and his flock.
Ma Tianfu, a seasoned shepherd, was overseeing his sheep in the fields as usual when an unexpected event caught his attention.
While resting, Ma Tianfu heard an unusual noise resembling a sheep's sound, sparking his curiosity.
Investigating the source, Ma discovered a golden stone, intricately patterned, which he immediately identified as valuable gold.
Excited, Ma quickly shepherded his flock home, where his early arrival prompted his wife's curiosity. Handing over the gold, he shared his find.
Convinced of their newfound fortune, Ma told his wife they were set for wealth, planning to sell the gold the very next morning at a major jeweler's.
At the jeweler's, when questioned about the gold's origin, Ma fabricated a story of it being an ancestral heirloom to avoid suspicion.
The jeweler, doubtful, suggested the gold piece looked like an antique, recommending an expert's opinion.
Thus, Ma sought the local Cultural Relics Bureau's expertise to appraise the gold, hoping it might fetch a high price as a treasure.
Experts, upon examination, revealed it wasn't just gold but a significant cultural relic.
The Truth Behind the Grassland Gold
Further analysis by experts revealed the gold piece to be a burial item buried underground, too heavy for decorative or daily wear by nomadic peoples, indicating its use in funerary practices.
The discovery hinted at an ancient tomb or ceremonial site nearby, prompting archaeologists to quickly explore the grasslands of Ky Lien. Guided by Ma, their excavation unearthed numerous gold and silver artifacts dating back to the Han Dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE).
The gold piece found by Ma showcased a unique and intricate design featuring a wolf chasing and biting a bull, symbolizing a natural law.
The vivid craftsmanship of the engraving highlights the high skill level of artisans of the time.
Integrating related historical records, experts concluded these artifacts belonged to nomadic peoples of Ky Lien, specifically a branch of the Xiongnu. After the dissolution of their alliance with the Northern Wei Dynasty (386 – 534), this tribe collapsed. Only in Qinghai, Gansu, and a few other locations have traces of this historical group been uncovered.
Experts persuaded Ma Thien Phuc to return the invaluable gold artifact for research purposes. Acknowledging its historical significance, Ma complied, earning praise and a monetary reward from the local Cultural Heritage Department for his contribution to cultural preservation.
Reference sources: Sohu, Baidu
