Weijiadun Tumulus Tomb

Weijiadun Tumulus Tomb

The Weijiadun Tumulus Tomb is a Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Unit.

The Weijiadun Tumulus Tomb derives its name from the village where it is located. Situated in Weijiadun, Dantu District, Zhenjiang City, this tumulus tomb dates back to the Western Zhou to Spring and Autumn periods. It is the only undisturbed tumulus tomb remaining along the Yangtze River in Zhenjiang. Currently, it is a provincial-level cultural heritage site.

The Weijiadun Tumulus Tomb has a diameter of 60 meters and a height of about 6 meters, standing alone in an overgrown, undeveloped field. It is said to be part of the legendary burial grounds of Wu Kingdom nobility. Upon closer inspection on the southern side of the tomb, it appears that the base of the tumulus was originally much larger than what is visible today. The southern edge has been cut into a small profile, with dense, long tree roots growing vertically, and water runoff from rainfall carving grooves into the soil. Judging by its structure, it was likely a tomb of very high status.

Cultural heritage authorities have conducted surveys and archaeological excavations of tumulus tombs in the Dagu Port area along the Yangtze River in Zhenjiang. These efforts have largely led to the conclusion that this region was part of the royal burial grounds of the Wu Kingdom. As a tumulus remnant in this area, the Weijiadun Tumulus Tomb may indeed have been the tomb of a Wu Kingdom noble.

On December 19, 2011, the People's Government of Jiangsu Province designated it as part of the seventh batch of Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Units.

Further reading:

· Seventh Batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Units