Chinanews, Lanzhou, Mar. 7 – The Italy Broadcasting & TV Co. recently sent a crew to Zhelaizhai Village in Yongchang County of Gansu Province, to visit the descendants of an ancient Roman legion.

 

The Italian media planned to visit Yongchang County years ago. However, since the time was not ripe for filming, the plan had been put aside several times. This was the first time for the Italian media to send their reporters to visit the place, said Hu Richa, a photographer with the Italy Broadcasting & TV Co.

 

There are 70 families, or 270 people, living in Zhelaizhai Village now. They live by a small river running from the Qilian Mountains. Some mud houses are scattered along the bumpy road in the western part of the village and there are some wall remains at the back of these houses. From any perspective, the village does not at all look like the well-known ancient city Liqian's remains as acknowledged by some Chinese and foreign historians. According to historical accounts, the Liqian Ancient City was built especially for the Liqian people.

 

The Liqian people, as called by local residents, display physical features similar to those of Europeans. For some Liqian people, these physical features are carried on through every generation, and for others, the physical features are shown in every other generation in their families. Through on-the-spot investigation, the Italian media people found many villagers who did display physical features very similar to those of European people. The crew members chatted with these villagers and learned that they kept some unique customs. Like the ancient Romans, these people admire ox and regard ox as a very noble animal in worshipping ceremonies. When burying dead persons, they put their bodies with their heads facing the west.

 

“Once learning from media reports that the mystery of the Liqian people will be unveiled soon, we send our staff members to visit the place, hoping that we can trace and record this part of history,” said Hu.