The Foundation Ceremony for the Monument to the Phoenix Chinese Ancestors

The Foundation Ceremony for the Monument to the Phoenix…

In 1993, ASU anthropologists K.J Schroeder and his archaeological excavation team excavated the cemetery and unearthed some Chinese coins, bone made tools, jade, small Bodhisattvas and other objects. The archaeologist published the book, ”Pioneer & Military Memorial Park Archaeological Project in Phoenix Arizona 1990-1992.” Among the early tombstones in the cemetery, there is only one with Chinese inscription –”Grave of Xiang Yuan Tang, Kaiping Dai Lou Village.” With little clues about this tomb, the archaeologist reached out to the Tempe Chinese school principal, William Tang. Mr. Tang published a message in the local Chinese newspaper, hoping to find the descendants of the tomb in order to study the life, thoughts and family of the tomb owner and to promulgate the glorious history of the Chinese pioneers. But 20 years passed by, the tombstone mystery had remained unsolved.