On September 16 a local herdsman found a dried human hand on a little slope in Wensu County located in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Archaeology authorities have identified the hand as belonging to an ancient mummy.

Mr. Wang, a witness from a nearby factory, said he went with the herdsman to a nearby area and saw the dried hand sticking out from the ground. Together they excavated the site. They unearthed a mummy wearing a flamboyant blue and white gown, with a cotton quilt covering his body. Mr. Wang said that he easily discerned a beard on the mummy's face.

Policemen have blocked off the area. They are waiting for the archaeology bureau to conduct further investigations.

The herdsman who found the mummy said that he knew of two large-scale ancient tombs in the area; both are under the protection of the local government. He stated that he often tended his flock in this region but this is the first time he has discovered a mummy.

Experts have already taken protective measures regarding the mummy. His status and age are still under investigation.

(China.org.cn by Chen Lin September 20, 2007)