Chinese Archaeologists Discover Tomb of China’s First Ever Female Prime Minister

A group of Chinese archaeologists has discovered the location of the tomb of Shangguan Wan'er, China's first female prime minister. The site was found in the northern province of Shaanxi, near an airport in Xianyang.

One of the most powerful women in China's history, Shangguan Wan'er lived from AD 664-710. She was also a trusted aide of Empress Wu Zetian, China's first female ruler, during the Tang dynasty.

Archaeologists were able to confirm the tomb bore Shangguan Wan'er's remains through a badly damaged epitaph, according to state-run news agency Xinhua.

"The roof had completely collapsed, the four walls were damaged, and all the tiles on the floor had been lifted up," Geng Qinggang, an archaeology research associate in Shaanxi, told Chinese media.

"Hence, we think it must have been subject to large-scale, organised damage ... quite possibly damage organised by officials," he said.

There was no gold or silver treasures in the site, he added.

Killed in a palace coup, Shangguan Wan'er married Wu's son, while simultaneously carrying relationships with both the ruler's lover and her nephew.

Li Xian, Shangguan Wan'er's husband, briefly became emperor following the sequence of murders, coups and affairs that shrouded the dynasty. He was later killed by his senior wife, who then took power herself.

Video Source: Youtube/One Minute News