THE HAN CHARIOT FROM NOIN ULA MOUND 20 (MONGOLIA)

Excavations of Noin Ula mound 20 revealed a light pleasure chariot yao che above the burial. The chariot may have also been used for military and hunting purposes. All its wooden parts were lacquered, and the bronze details were gilded. The umbrella was decorated with scarlet silk bands tied to every sixth rib. The intact chariot was placed in the grave pit, and only the wheels were removed. It was transported to the grave by way of a dromos. The tradition of placing one or several chariots in graves is part of the Chinese funerary rite.