"Among the relics, the most delicate and vivid was an eagle-head-shaped piece of ivory, chiseled on both front and back. The eagle's beak is hook-shaped and its eyes wide open, giving it a fierce and powerful countenance. "
This must be really interesting.
"Another interesting find was a pot full of cooked water chestnuts."
Sounds like things came to an end in a hurry, as if a forest fire or a sacking enemy hit town.
Or maybe the moron cooking the water chestnuts wasn't keeping track, and the fire spread, incinerating the whole works. ;')