The Zuguishan Tomb Cluster

The Zuguishan Tomb Cluster

The Zuguishan Tomb Cluster is a protected cultural heritage site of Ningbo City.

The Zuguishan Tomb Cluster is located just outside the southern gate of the ancient city, within Nanjiao Park in Haishu District. It was designated as a municipal-level cultural heritage site under protection by Ningbo City in May 1961.

The area centers around Zuguishan within Nanjiao Park, extending north to the city moat, east to Nantang River, and south and west to the Zuguishan River. Archaeological excavations conducted in the area during the construction of the Southern Railway Station in 1956 uncovered a total of 128 ancient tombs dating from the Warring States Period to the Ming Dynasty. Among these, the more significant ones include wooden-chambered tombs from the Eastern Han Dynasty, where 1,124 cultural relics were unearthed. The oldest items discovered were pottery dou (equivalent to modern high-legged serving dishes) and ding (tripod cauldrons used for cooking) from the Warring States Period. Western Han Dynasty artifacts included glazed pottery such as pots, jars, and dui (ritual vessels), all finished in a beige color and shining like fat. Other findings ranged from practical items like washbasins, lamps, cauldrons, steamers, jiaodou (ladles), wine cups, mirrors, and huizi (portable urinals), to bronze coins such as Qin Banliang and Han Wuzhu. There were also a variety of pottery items like pots, wine cups, grain storage models, and stoves, ironware including pots (cooking vessels), knives, swords, and daggers, lacquered items such as lacquer wine cups, as well as objects made of agate, glass, and jade. Textiles included both hemp fabrics and silk products.

During the Northern Song Dynasty, this area originally housed the Chongfa Temple, where the 17th patriarch of Buddhism, Master Fazhi, passed away while in meditation. This gave rise to the name “Zuguishan” (Ancestor’s Barrier Mountain). Over the dynasties, the site served as a burial ground and gradually formed into a small earthen mound. Archaeological findings indicate that Zuguishan is currently the largest ancient tomb cluster in Ningbo, offering significant historical value for the study of Ningbo’s politics, economy, and culture from the Han Dynasty through the Six Dynasties period.

Information provided by: Haishu District Cultural Relics Management Office