Nanyang Ruins

Nanyang Ruins

The Nanyang Ruins are a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Nanyang Ruins are located 13 kilometers east of Rongcheng County and 40 meters south of Nanyang Village. Known locally as "Chengpo" by villagers, these are relics from the Zhou Dynasty. The site is surrounded by ancient river channels, namely the "Nanhe," "Houhe," "Donghe," and "Xihézi," covering an area of over 70,000 square meters. Artifacts unearthed include one bronze "Xigong" pot, two bronze tripods, one bronze "Youzheng" pot lid, one "Yishi" pottery bowl, one "Yishi" pottery jar, as well as over 40 other cultural relics such as pottery li, tripods, dou, jars, zun, and bronze xuan. Notably, the "Jianshou Dao" coins from the Spring and Autumn Period, unearthed in 1984, provide solid evidence for dating the site.

According to "Records of the Grand Historian · The House of Duke Zhao of Yan": "In the thirteenth year of Duke Xuan’s reign, he died and was succeeded by his son, Duke Huan. In the seventh year of Duke Huan’s reign, he died and was succeeded by his son, Duke Zhuang." The "Collected Explanations" cites the "Genealogies" stating: "Duke Huan moved to Lin Yi." Song Zhong said: "Now it is Yixian in Hejian." The Hejian (commandery/state) Yixian of the Eastern Han Dynasty refers to the area of present-day eastern Nanyang and Guxian in Rongcheng County, as well as western Xiongxian. The "Kuodi Zhi" records: "The abandoned Yixian to the north of Xiongxian was where Duke Huan of Yan moved to Lin Yi during the reign of Duke Zhuang of Lu in the Spring and Autumn Period (693–662 BCE)." It also states: "The abandoned Yixian is located 35 li north of the present county (referring to Xiongxian), originally a capital settlement of Yan. During the reign of Duke Zhuang of Lu in the Spring and Autumn Period, Duke Huan of Yan moved to Lin Yi — this place."

Zhao Yiqing’s "Commentary on the Water Classic" states: "From Ji, they moved to Lin Yi by the water, called Yijing, with the city located four or five li west of Yicheng." Its location and distance largely match the current Nanyang Ruins. Regarding the timeline of the Yi capital, the "Jiajing Xiong Sheng" records: "In the third year of King Wu of Zhou over the Shang, he enfeoffed Duke Zhao in Northern Yan. In the third year of Duke Zhuang (694 BCE), Duke Huan of Yan moved the capital to Yi." The chapter "Youdu" in "Han Feizi" states: "Duke Xiang of Yan used the river as a boundary, with Ji (the capital) as the state." It can be seen that the construction of Yan’s Yi capital began in 694 BCE, and by the time of Duke Xiang of Yan (657 BCE), the capital returned to Ji from Yi, making the duration of Yi as capital approximately 37 years. Judging from the artifacts unearthed at the site, the Yi capital was not abandoned afterward but remained an important city in the southern region of Yan. During the reign of King Zhao of Yan, the statesman Ju Xin stationed troops here.

Specific Location: The Nanyang Ruins are located 13 kilometers east of Rongcheng County and 40 meters south of Nanyang Village

Further Reading:

· Second Batch of Hebei Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units