4. Lijian
In May 1993 some Chinese and foreign archaeologists discovered that the Lijian Ruins were actually a very old town built in the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-23), in Zhelaizhai Village, Gansu Province.
There they excavated dozens of iron cauldrons, pots, ceramic kettles and big logs used by soldiers. All the relics were verified as the evidence of a Roman connection with the village. Had any Romans come to Gansu? But China had never fought a war with Rome due to the distance between the two countries.
Historians have found the key to the question that had remained unsolved for nearly 2,000 years. In 53 BC seven legions of Roman soldiers invaded Parthia, present day Iran. Having been defeated they wandered into China and settled at the foot of the Qilianshan Mountains.
Two Chinese generals and their men encountered them drilling with their round shields in a barrack surrounded by huge logs. 1,500 Romans were captured and brought to Lijian, a county named after their original country (the Roman Republic was known as Lijian in ancient China).
Archaeologists found that many villagers in Lijian have high-bridged noses, deep-set eyes, curly blond hair and large-boned figures like Europeans. There are some unique customs in the area. The local people often make ox-head shaped bread from leavened flour as a sacrificial offering.
They built Ox God Temple at the major crossroads of the village, and erected ox heads as symbols. Ox Butting is a favorite sports there. It is believed that the custom has something to do with the bullfighting popular with the ancient Romans.
