Didn’t someone say that even in death, there is history? Nghĩa trang phường Nhật Tân is the final resting place of many. It holds stories within its grounds. This cemetery is the Nghĩa trang phường Nhật Tân. It served the village of Nhật Tân before it became a ward. Now, this area belongs to Phú Thượng ward. Yet, people from Nhật Tân still choose to be buried here.
Let’s talk about a fascinating discovery. In a Nhật Tân peach garden, archaeologists unearthed an ancient tomb. It was one of only five of its kind found in Hanoi. More impressively, it was among a few in northern Vietnam that contained a well-preserved mummy and artifacts.
The mummy was an old man between 60 and 62 years old. He was about 1.62 meters tall. Accompanying him were items like headrests, embroidered shoes and silk garments. There were also pouches that possibly contained betel nuts or medicinal herbs. These findings suggest he was a very wealthy man. Yet, there were no identifying inscriptions to confirm his status. High-ranking officials were usually buried with nameplates or records of their titles.
After its exhumation, the local community reburied the mummy in Nghĩa trang phường Nhật Tân. The ceremony was complete with traditional rituals and music. His tombstone reads: “Relocated remains of an old man.”
The tomb’s construction also revealed interesting details. The outer layer consisted of lime, molasses, sticky rice water, and paper. Beneath a wooden layer lay a “seven-star” board. This board had seven holes for the mummy to rest upon. A layer of roasted rice was also found.
Researchers analyzed the man’s clothing. The near-perfect condition of ten silk garments was especially valuable. Experts hoped to learn about 18th-century fashion. They also wanted to understand textile origins. The embalming process was another point of interest. The tomb retained a fragrant scent long after excavation. Researchers sent embalming fluid samples for analysis to uncover the techniques of the past.
Nghĩa trang phường Nhật Tân is more than a burial ground. It is a repository of local history. It connects us to past lives and traditions.