Photo taken on Jan.13, 2021 shows an ancient temple complex dating back to the State of Nanzhao, a slave society established during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) in Dali, southwest China’s Yunnan Province. (Photo provided by the Yunnan Provincial Research Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology) 
Photo taken on Jan.13, 2021 shows a tile discovered in an ancient temple complex uncovered in Dali, southwest China’s Yunnan Province. The inscription on it indicates that the temple might be a royal religious site of the State of Nanzhao. (Photo provided by the Yunnan Provincial Research Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology)
According to the Provincial Institute for Cultural Relics and Archaeology in Yunnan Province in southwest China, archaeologists have discovered a temple complex dating back to Nanzhao Province, a slave society founded in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). The complex, which is located, was found with 14 structural foundations, 63 stone walls, 23 ditches, and more than 17,300 other artifacts, including ceramics, along with more than 40 tons of tiles, Zhu Zhonghua said. Researcher leading the archaeological project.
From January to July 2020, archaeologists carried out excavations on a 6,000 m2 site on the site 600 m south of Taihe, which was later the first capital of the Nanzhao regime. The head of the Bai tribe united six tribes in the Erhai region.
In thecomplex researchers found a tile inscribed with the inscription “Buddha enshrined by Buddha sarira”. This suggests that there is a high possibility that Buddhist relics of the Nanjiao royal family were enshrined and worshiped inside the temple,” said the government. Therefore, the complex is considered to be the main religious site of Tai He, the institute said .
It is a general term that has a branch meaning, but is generally used to describe the remains after Buddhist cremation It is said that the remains of a Buddhist master often contain objects such as crystal balls or pearls. A number of nails, gaskets, mullahs, and other kiln pottery have been found, as well as defective glazed pottery.
Excavations help to disclose the structure of the temple during the Nanzhao regime, the production status of the funeral and funeral customs of the royal family, according to institute.
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Nanzhao reigned in the present Yunnan province as well as the center of Sichuan and Guizhou province. Taihe was at that time the political and cultural area of the region.
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