Wanggu Shang Dynasty Site

Wanggu Shang Dynasty Site

The Wanggu Shang Dynasty Site is a cultural relic protection unit of Hebei Province.

After the establishment of the Shang Dynasty, due to frequent floods, the capital was relocated five times starting from the reign of King Pan Geng, as recorded in the "Records of the Grand Historian · The Basic Annals of Yin": 'They moved five times and had no fixed dwelling.' Historians have repeatedly verified through ancient phonology, philology, and geographical archaeology that 'the Shachiu Terrace is located twenty li northeast of Pingxiang in Xingtai, which is today’s Wanggu area.' (Located two kilometers northwest of Fengzhou Town, Pingxiang County.)

During the Shang to the end of the Spring and Autumn period, this area in Pingxiang County was known as 'Shachiu.' Historical evidence preserved in genealogical records and epitaphs from the early Ming Dynasty migration supports the claim of 'Shachiu Pingxiang.' Over centuries of cultural accumulation, the underground relics and remains here are quite abundant. Since 1984, cultural relic archaeologists from Hebei Province, Xingtai City, and Pingxiang County have conducted multiple archaeological surveys in the region, discovering numerous ancient cultural sites and unearthing a large number of cultural artifacts. These have been authenticated by many renowned archaeological experts as dating from the Shang to the Warring States and Western Han periods, consistent with the historical accounts of the 'Shachiu Palace' and the era of King Zhou of Shang as recorded in the "Records of the Grand Historian," "Book of Han," and "Kuodi Zhi."

Analysis of unearthed artifacts such as pottery li tripods, spinning whorls, flat-bottomed basins, and jars shows many cultural similarities with the late Shang Dynasty sites of Caoyanzhuang in Xingtai, Dongxianxian in Xingtai, and Xiaotun in Anyang (Yinxu late period). This indicates that the Shang culture in the Pingxiang region developed consistently with those areas and all date to the late Shang Dynasty. The Wanggu Shang Dynasty Site within the range of the Shachiu Garden Terrace also corresponds with historical texts stating the 'Shachiu Palace' was 'twenty li northeast of Pingxiang.' This confirms the consistency with legends such as King Zhou of Shang building the Shachiu Garden Terrace, King Wuling of Zhao dying in distress at the Shachiu Palace, and Emperor Qin Shi Huang passing away at the Shachiu Platform. The discovery of the Wanggu Shang cultural site fills a gap in the archaeological study of the Shachiu Palace during the Shang Dynasty, enriches research materials on Shang culture, and advances the study of Shang culture in Hebei.

In 2008, the Wanggu Shang Dynasty Site was designated by the People's Government of Hebei Province as a 'Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit of Hebei Province.'

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Key Cultural Relic Protection Units of Hebei Province