Xuecheng Site

Xuecheng Site

The Xuecheng Site is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Xuecheng Site is located 15 kilometers south of Guxian County in Shandong Province.

The Xuecheng Site was the capital site of the State of Xue, a feudal state during the Eastern Zhou Dynasty. Historical records about the State of Xue date back very early. The "Zuo Zhuan · Year 1 of Duke Ding" mentions that the State of Xue existed as early as the Xia and Shang dynasties. The "Du Shi Fang Yu Ji Yao" states that during the Warring States period, the State of Qi conquered the State of Xue and enfeoffed Tian Ying in Xue. During the Qin and Han dynasties, a county was established here. In recent years, the Shandong Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology has conducted archaeological excavations at the site, revealing the general layout of the ancient city ruins.

The site's layout is an irregular square, with a perimeter of 10,615 meters. The city walls undulate gently and rise 4 to 7 meters above the ground. The terrain inside the city is very flat, with the palace ruins located right in the center. At the northeast corner of the city are two large earthen mounds, traditionally believed to be the tombs of Lord Mengchang and his father Tian Ying from the Warring States period. In the past, bronze artifacts from the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods were often unearthed around the site. Additionally, the remains of an iron-smelting workshop from the Han Dynasty have been discovered. (National Cultural Heritage Administration)

Further reading:

· Third Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units