Zhongshan Architectural Ruins

Zhongshan Architectural Ruins

The Zhongshan Architectural Ruins are a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Zhongshan Architectural Ruins are located at the southern foot of Toutuo Mountain on the main peak of Purple Mountain in Xuanwu District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province.

The Zhongshan Architectural Ruins are the remains of a ritual altar from the Southern Dynasties, consisting of Altar No. 1, Altar No. 2, and associated architectural remnants. They stretch over 300 meters from north to south and cover an area of more than 20,000 square meters.

The site was discovered by archaeologists in 1999 and is believed to be the remains of a national northern suburban altar built in the third year of the Daming era (459 AD) during the Liu Song Dynasty under Emperor Xiaowu. In 2000, the Nanjing Cultural Relics Research Institute, in collaboration with the Zhongshan Mausoleum Administration, conducted an archaeological excavation of Altar No. 2, one of the large-scale altars from the Six Dynasties period. During the excavation, a set of ancillary architectural remains related to the altar was found. Altar No. 2 is located north of Altar No. 1, on a prominent spur of the southern slope of Purple Mountain’s main peak, flanked by valleys to the east and west that converge at the mountain’s base to form a small lake. The two altars are approximately 10 meters apart, with Altar No. 2 being 23.18 meters higher than Altar No. 1. Both altars are oriented from north to south and have a square layout. A newly discovered area of ancillary structures is situated on the southern slope of Altar No. 1, constructed along the incline. Three groups of architectural remains, aligned from north to south, extend over 300 meters and occupy about 20,000 square meters. The complex is grand in scale, imposing in presence, and intricate in structure.

The discovery of the ritual architectural remains of the suburban altar from the Six Dynasties period on Purple Mountain plays a significant role in studying China's early suburban ritual systems. It provides first-hand material for researching the ritual culture of the Six Dynasties period and offers insights into the evolution of the Earth Altar system from the Six Dynasties to the Sui and Tang Dynasties. The various architectural spaces and relics unearthed at the altar site are also important for exploring the ritual architectural concepts, architectural styles, and suburban sacrificial ceremonies of the Six Dynasties. However, some scholars have disputed the nature of the site, suggesting that it may not be an altar but rather a “monastic precept platform-style earthen stupa” of the Dinglin Shang Temple established in the early years of the Southern Dynasties.

In 2006, the Zhongshan Architectural Ruins were listed in the sixth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units by the State Council as ancient ruins from the Northern and Southern Dynasties period.

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units