Xiangshan Stone Chamber Mounds

Xiangshan Stone Chamber Mounds

According to historical records and multiple surveys by archaeologists, there are over 100 large and small troop-concealing caves on Xiangshan and Changshan mountains in the northwest of Zhangjiagang City. In the summer of 1997, the Suzhou Museum, together with the Zhangjiagang Municipal Bureau of Culture and Cultural Relics Management Office, conducted an archaeological excavation of the troop-concealing caves on Xiangshan, which lasted 20 days and resulted in the excavation and cleaning of 4 troop-concealing caves. According to relevant sources, from the mid-1950s to the late 1990s, a total of 11 mound stone chambers were excavated and cleaned in the Suzhou area—3 on Qizi Mountain and Wufeng Mountain, 3 on Shangfang Mountain, 1 on Yushan Mountain, and 4 on Xiangshan.

A total of 34 unearthed artifacts were found in the 4 troop-concealing caves on Xiangshan, mainly primitive celadon ware and pottery. In terms of form, there were bowls, plates, jars, pots, and spinning wheels. The celadon bowls and plates were made using fast-wheel technology, with uniform glaze and relatively high firing temperatures, achieving a high level of craftsmanship. Some had S-shaped patterns on the rims and circular spiral patterns inside. The pottery jars were large, standing over 50 centimeters tall. It can be inferred that they were used for storing grain or water. The pottery jars and pots featured rich decorative patterns, including zigzag, leaf vein, meander, grid, net, and diamond patterns... Analyzing and studying the production techniques of the pottery and celadon, especially the decorative features, is of great significance for determining the construction and usage periods of the troop-concealing caves. From a broader perspective, zigzag and leaf vein patterns appeared earlier and belong to the middle to late Western Zhou Dynasty, while diamond patterns appeared later and are characteristic of the early Spring and Autumn Period. Experts noted that the artifacts found in the Xiangshan troop-concealing caves were very similar to those unearthed from the mound stone chambers on Shangfang Mountain, both dating to the same period, representing typical artifacts from the Western Zhou to Spring and Autumn Periods, approximately 2,700 to 2,500 years ago.

In terms of architectural structure, the Xiangshan troop-concealing caves have several notable characteristics: the stone chambers all run east-west, with entrances facing east. The entrances of the western chambers are framed with lintels, and there are ventilation windows above. The interiors feature an A-shaped structure, with heights ranging from 2.5 to 4.7 meters, bottom widths between 1.5 and 1.8 meters, and top widths of 0.2 to 0.3 meters. The side walls are built from stones of varying sizes, with small stone fragments used to fill gaps. The walls taper upward from the base, and niches are set between the walls for placing objects. The ceilings are covered with large flat stones. The interior floors are paved with stones. The entrances are sealed with long stone slabs up to the top, indicating that the chambers could be closed when not in use. In terms of layout, the 4 stone chambers fall into two types: one is trumpet-mouth style, the other is corridor-style. The corridor-style has longer passages (or tunnels) outside the entrance, about 8–10 meters, while the interior is shorter, 4–6 meters; the trumpet-mouth style has a more open outdoor passage, with a longer interior, around 9–11 meters.

Preliminary analysis suggests that these two types of passages and chambers likely had different uses. Chamber 3, which is trumpet-mouth style, yielded the most artifacts, and the chamber was meticulously constructed, with slightly arched walls that show traces of early arch-building techniques. In addition, the earthen seals of the other 3 chambers were built using soil and stones from the mountain, whereas Chamber 3 was sealed with yellow clay and stones from the mountain foot. The advantage of yellow clay is its strong viscosity and resistance to seepage, helping to keep the interior dry. Some speculate that Chamber 3 served as a “command post.”

As a structure with distinctive temporal and regional characteristics, mound stone chambers should hold a significant place in the history of Chinese architecture. The A-shaped structure of the stone chambers can be seen as a precursor to the arch construction techniques that emerged after the Warring States Period.

Regarding the nature and function of mound stone chambers, there has long been considerable debate in archaeological circles, with theories including military use, burial sites, residences, ceremonial spaces, and multifunctional purposes. The archaeologists who excavated the Xiangshan troop-concealing caves lean toward the “military use” theory.

On June 5, 2006, it was designated as part of the sixth batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Units.

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Units