As the Dragon Boat Festival approaches, people visiting the De'an County Museum in Jiangxi province often gather around a particular display case to marvel at its contents: a pair of 750-year-old zongzi.
The triangular rice dumplings in the museum, which are roughly 6 centimeters long and 3 centimeters wide, were unearthed in 1988 from a tomb built during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279).
The woman buried in the tomb, surnamed Zhou, was found clutching a 40-cm peach branch with the dumplings tied to it.
According to the tomb inscription, Zhou was the daughter of a local official, hailing from today's Wuning county in the city of Jiujiang, and was buried in 1274.
"These are the oldest known triangular rice dumplings discovered in an archaeological context, and they are remarkably well-preserved. They provide valuable insights into the diet of the Song Dynasty (960-1279)," said Wang Zerong, director of the museum.
Li Jia, a museum guide, explained why the rice dumplings were found in the tomb: "The inscription mentions that the tomb owner died in the fourth lunar month. Since the burial coincided with the Dragon Boat Festival, archaeologists believe she might have loved rice dumplings, which also symbolize mourning and remembrance. Hence, her family included them in her burial."
Li added that the pairing of the dumplings symbolizes good wishes for the deceased. "These rice dumplings are the highlight of our museum. Most visitors are captivated by them and spend a long time admiring them."
临近端午节，江西省德安县博物馆的一个展柜前，每天都有许多游客驻足低头观看一对来自750年前的粽子。
As the Dragon Boat Festival approaches, people visiting the De'an County Museum in Jiangxi province often gather around a particular display case to marvel at its contents: a pair of 750-year-old zongzi.
这对菱角形粽子长6厘米、宽3厘米，是在1988年考古发掘的当地一座南宋时期的墓葬中出土的。据专家推测，它们是目前世界上考古发现最古老的三角粽。
The triangular rice dumplings in the museum, which are roughly 6 centimeters long and 3 centimeters wide, were unearthed in 1988 from a tomb built during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279).
碑文字记载，墓主周氏为宁国府通判国史溪园先生周应合之女，今九江市武宁县人，葬于公元1274年；丈夫为新太平州通判吴畴，今德安县车桥镇人。
The woman buried in the tomb, surnamed Zhou, was found clutching a 40-cm peach branch with the dumplings tied to it.
According to the tomb inscription, Zhou was the daughter of a local official, hailing from today's Wuning county in the city of Jiujiang, and was buried in 1274.
出土时，墓主人周氏右手持一根长40厘米的桃枝，桃枝上系着这两个粽子。据专家推测，墓主人离世于端午节前夕，生前比较爱吃粽子，而粽子在早时有哀悼的寓意，所以后人放了两只粽子在棺木中以表哀悼。
德安县博物馆馆长王泽荣说，这对粽子不仅是目前考古发掘最早的实物三角粽，而且保存相当完好。这个考古发现为研究两宋时期的饮食提供了难能可贵的实物资料。
"These are the oldest known triangular rice dumplings discovered in an archaeological context, and they are remarkably well-preserved. They provide valuable insights into the diet of the Song Dynasty (960-1279)," said Wang Zerong, director of the museum.
至于为什么在墓葬里出现粽子，博物馆的讲解员李佳说，“墓志铭记载，墓主人去世时为阴历四月份，入葬时已时近端午节。根据当时发掘墓葬的考古专家推测，墓主人可能生前爱吃粽子，再加上粽子有表示哀悼和纪念的寓意，所以后人将粽子也一并随葬。”
Li Jia, a museum guide, explained why the rice dumplings were found in the tomb: "The inscription mentions that the tomb owner died in the fourth lunar month. Since the burial coincided with the Dragon Boat Festival, archaeologists believe she might have loved rice dumplings, which also symbolize mourning and remembrance. Hence, her family included them in her burial."
此外，两个粽子放在一起，成双成对，也是对亡者表达一种美好的祝愿。“在我们博物馆里，这两个粽子是最吸引人的，大部分来参观的游客看见这两个粽子都会低头观看很久，他们觉得这样的实物非常有趣。”
Li added that the pairing of the dumplings symbolizes good wishes for the deceased. "These rice dumplings are the highlight of our museum. Most visitors are captivated by them and spend a long time admiring them."
当然，出于对这粽子界的“老祖宗”到底是甜还是咸的好奇，记者向博物馆的讲解员进行了真诚发问。
讲解员表示，南宋的粽子需要好好保护起来，一旦打开就无法复原。
因此，这恐怕会是一个永远的谜了。