Editor's Note:
Sichuan Provincial Cultural Relics and Archaeology Research Institute revealed more than 10,000 artifacts on March 20 dating back to Zhang Xianzhong (1606-47), leader of a Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) peasant uprising, unearthed during an excavation that began in early January. Zhang, who declared himself King of the West around 1644, fell in battle in 1647 as his ships loaded with jewelry were sunk to the bottom of a river near Pengshan, Sichuan Province, according to historical records, CCTV reported.
A gold earring. Photo: Courtesy of Pengshan Publicity Office 
A gold hairpin. Photo: Courtesy of Pengshan Publicity Office 
A gold ring. Photo: Courtesy of Pengshan Publicity Office 
A gold coin with the inscription “Xiwangshanggong”, King of the West reward, unearthed during the excavation that covered an area of 10,000 square kilometers by March 15. Photo: Courtesy of Pengshan Publicity Office 
A silver coin with the inscription “Xiwangshanggong”, King of the West reward, unearthed during the excavation. Photo: Courtesy of Pengshan Publicity Office 
An iron spear. Photo: Courtesy of Pengshan Publicity Office 
A silver ingot. Photo: Courtesy of Pengshan Publicity Office 
A copper coin. Photo: Courtesy of Pengshan Publicity Office
