6 reasons to prove the tomb is Cao Cao's

Chinese scientists have clear evidence that they have found the exact grave of the famous military reign of the Three Kingdoms, Cao Cao.

Archaeologists found the inscription of the name and number of objects in the grave on 57 stone plates, including seven records of "weapons that Wei used to use".Photo: People's Daily.

On December 27, 2009, the Chinese Cultural Heritage Administration announced that they found Cao Cao's grave in the ancient city of An Duong, Ha Nam province. According to the People's Daily, Cao Cao's identity is determined based on the following grounds.

1. The tomb is quite large with a length of nearly 60 m. The coffin and structure of the grave are very similar to the tombs for the Han dynasties and Wei. This is consistent with Cao Cao's body. The tomb was not sealed by the earth - in accordance with the description of Cao Cao's grave not covered by soil and no trees above 'in many historical documents.

2. Portraits carved in stone, epitaph and many other relics in the tomb have characters from the Han and Wei periods.

3. The location of the tomb coincides with the location where many historical documents are recorded.

4. Cao Cao instructed in the will that he did not want to be buried with precious jewelry and just wear normal clothes. The things that archaeologists found in the grave confirm this. Although the grave area is quite large, it is relatively simple to decorate: no murals, no weapons, only a stone pillar and ordinary items for daily use.

5. Stone pillars and epitaphs are carved with the words 'Vu Hoang De' - the clearest evidence of the body of the person in the grave. We all know Cao Cao passed away with the 'Wei King'. After forcing King Han Hien De to cede the throne, Cao Phi - the death of Cao Cao - retrieved his father Vu Hoang De.

6. Archaeologists found the bones of a man in his sixties. According to many historical documents, Cao Cao died at the age of 66.