Chengdu Wuhou Shrine Museum holds a media briefing on the eight newly discovered inscriptions that were previously kept inside the walls of the museum to introduce to the public the discoveries on June 28.

 

In February of this year, when the museum staff were replacing an eroded wooden frame, its surrounding plaster layer peeled off, revealing part of a stele which was sealed inside the wall of the museum. Then the walls were scanned and cleaned by professionals and a total of 15 steles were finally found. According to their location and the contents of the inscriptions, it is believed that eight inscriptions are craved upon these 15 steles.

 

The 15 steles belong to Qing Dynasty (1644-1912). The earliest dates back to 1672 with a 350-year history and the latest dates back to 1821. Among the eight inscriptions, five of them are recorded in a Wuhou Shrine chronicle compiled in Qing Dynasty. The other three have not been recorded and they serve as an important supplement to the shrine's history.

 

 

Chengdu Wuhou Shrine Museum is the only existing shrine in China where the Emperor and his ministers are worshiped together and also the most influential Three Kingdoms-themed museum in the world.

 

It dates back to 223 AD when the mausoleum of Liu Bei, the Emperor of Shu Kingdom, was built here. In 1672, it went through a large-scale renovation which constituted its present architectural layout. On the occasion of the 1800th anniversary of the shrine and the 350th anniversary of the formation of its architectural layout, the eight newly discovered inscriptions are of great significance.

 

Edited by Wu Cuiyao