First appearing during the Spring and Autumn Period (722-481BC), hanging coffin is a unique funeral and sacrifice custom of the minority groups in southern China. People put the bodies of their ancestors into wooden coffins that were later placed in caves of precipitous cliffsides.

Most coffins were made with one whole piece of wood into various shapes. It was said that the hanging coffins could prevent bodies from being taken by beasts and also bless the soul eternally.

From www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_c...2632.htm where there is a picture.

More www.china.org.cn/english/t.../71037.htm
Another pic www.cers.org.hk/brochure/brochure1.php
Another pic www.trekearth.com/gallery/A...156205.htm