The Yandunshan Tomb Site

The Yandunshan Tomb Site

The Yandunshan Tomb Site is a cultural relic protection unit of Jiangsu Province.

The Yandunshan Tumulus Tomb is an important ancient burial site excavated in Zhenjiang City, Jiangsu Province after the liberation. It is located on the southern slope of Yandunshan Mountain in Dagang Town, Dantu County, Zhenjiang City, Jiangsu Province, within a 60-meter radius area.

In 1954, archaeological excavations unearthed 12 pieces of bronze ware, with the burial objects mainly consisting of bronze ritual vessels such as ding (tripods), gui (food vessels), li (tripod cauldrons), yu (basins), and gong (wine vessels). Among them was a “Yihou Mubing Ding” inscribed with 26 characters, marking a major discovery in the history of Chinese archaeology. According to renowned scholars Guo Moruo and Tang Lan, the “Yihou Mubing Ding” primarily records the enfeoffment of the Marquis of Yi, his land grants, people allocations, and accompanying rituals, making it an important artifact reflecting the political system and social structure of the early Western Zhou Dynasty. The inscription also mentions the “Si River,” “people,” and “sacrifices.” The “Si River” refers to a river located southeast of present-day Jurong County, further confirming the historical accounts in ancient texts about the region where the Marquis of Yi was enfeoffed.

On June 5, 2006, the Yandunshan Tomb Site was designated as part of the sixth batch of cultural relic protection units of Jiangsu Province.

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Jiangsu Province

· Seventh Batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level