Cao Cao's tomb was confirmed to be true

Chinese Institute of Archeology leaders affirmed that the ancient tomb excavated in Henan Province last month was Cao Cao's resting place, the famous reign of the Dong Han era.

According to China Daily, the new details of the tomb and the evidence that archaeologists used to prove Cao Cao's identity were published at a conference held by the Chinese Archaeological Institute this morning.

'Cao Cao's grave discovery is one of the most outstanding achievements of Chinese archeology in 2009,' China Daily quoted Wang Wei, director of the Archaeological Institute.

Wang said that the identity of the people in the grave was proved by grave-related factors: size, chronology, depth and inscription artifacts. According to Wang, archaeologists often base the words on artifacts to determine the identity of people in ancient tombs in China.

Archaeological Institute identifies Cao Cao's identity based on the artifacts they find in the grave. Other artifacts seized from thieves are used for reference only.

The words were engraved on 8 stones in the grave depicting the weapons that 'Wei often used'. Wang thinks these are the most reliable evidence.

A portrait of Cao Cao on sina.com.cn.

The announcement of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences about finding Cao Cao's grave on December 27 has sparked a wave of skepticism among scholars and online communities across the country.

'The tomb was invaded before archaeologists excavated it. So it is possible that the evidence has been set. In addition, the newspapers also said that the articles related to Cao Cao were collected from thieves , 'said Ma Weidu, a famous antiquarian collector in China.

On the forums, many people speculate that the excavation of the grave involves money. They claim that the grave could help the local government receive 400 million yuan.

'The truth is that local authorities are intending to promote the development of areas around the grave. But development projects are only aimed at protecting the grave by raising funds and attracting the attention of public opinion , "said Liu Qingzhu, an archaeologist at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Cao Cao (155-220) was the founder of the most powerful economic and military nation in the Three Kingdoms period (208-280). He was praised by the latter for his military and political talents. Cao Cao's poems are also passed down through generations. Some of them are even included in students' textbooks.