The reporter learned from the Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology of Sanmenxia City, Henan Province, that a few days ago, archaeologists found a group of early Warring States tombs in cooperation with local infrastructure, with more than 260 tombs and a large number of burial items unearthed.
This is an aerial photograph of part of the excavation area (file photo). Photo courtesy of Sanmenxia Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology
"These Warring States period tombs are arranged in a more orderly and orderly manner." Yan Fei, director of the business office of the Sanmenxia Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology and the person in charge of the archaeological site, said.
It is reported that as of now, archaeologists have excavated nearly 100 Warring States tombs, all of which are rectangular vertical pit tombs, mainly north and east, and almost all have burial tools.
Among the excavated tombs, the highest specification is the "Wuding Tomb". The owner of the tomb is a woman, a heavy coffin, accompanied by 5 pieces of copper, as well as copper plates, copper pots, copper boats, jade beads, agate charms, sea shells and so on.
This is the Warring States tomb that is being cleaned up (file photo). Photo courtesy of Sanmenxia Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology
The tomb being excavated is also a heavy coffin, the owner of the tomb is a man, and a large number of bronze artifacts have been unearthed, including ceremonial instruments such as copper dings and copper bristles; bronze carriages and horses; bronze ge, bronze halberds and other weapons; and musical instruments such as bronze chimes. In addition, jade and bone tools have been excavated.
It is worth mentioning that the tomb unearthed bronze chimes, a total of 9 pieces, all of which are button bells, and 10 pieces of stone chimes were also unearthed.
This is a bronze chime and stone chime excavated from the Warring States tomb (file photo). Photo courtesy of Sanmenxia Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology
"Judging from the burial utensils, the owner of the tomb is of a relatively high rank, belonging to the rank of scholar, and may be one of the administrators of this area." Yan Fei said.
Experts said that after preliminary research, the combination of such tomb excavations is Ding, bean, pot, plate, turn, boat, mane, etc., which is the cultural style of the Central Plains in the early Warring States period.
In addition to the tombs, archaeologists also found 4 horse pits, each of which buried two horses. The presence of a car in the pit still needs to be further cleaned up to confirm.
This is the early Warring States horse pit (file photo). Photo courtesy of Sanmenxia Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology
According to historical records, the area around Sanmenxia was alternately occupied by Wei, Qin, and Han during the Warring States period. The cemetery discovered this time may be an early public cemetery in the Wei State.
"The discovery of this cemetery provides important archaeological data for the study of the historical and cultural features of the pre-Qin period in western Henan, the exploration of people's material life materials at that time, the layout of the early Warring States cemetery, and the changes in the forces of the three kingdoms of Wei, Qin and Han." Zheng Lichao, director of the Sanmenxia Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, said.
At present, the relevant excavation and collation work is being carried out in an orderly manner.
Transferred from 丨 Xinhua Viewpoint
Source: Wen Wei Po