Xia Bala No. 2 Area Liao Tombs

Xia Bala No. 2 Area Liao Tombs

The Xia Bala No. 2 Area Liao Tombs are a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Xia Bala No. 2 Area Liao Tombs are a cluster of tombs located near Xia Bala in the northern part of Xia Bala Village, Xuanhua District.

The two discovered tombs are both octagonal, stone-built, domed single-chamber structures, consisting of a passage, gate, and main chamber. Each tomb chamber contains skeletal remains covered with bronze wire mesh—a distinctive burial custom popular among the Khitan nobility during the Liao Dynasty.

Tomb No. 1 also houses two wooden puppet statues, each 1.50 meters tall, with hollowed-out abdomens containing cremated ashes. The practice of using wooden puppets to hold ashes was relatively rare among Liao Dynasty tombs. The tomb chamber features several murals, including depictions of musical performances, tea preparation, wine warming, filial piety stories, and a screen of exotic rocks and flowers. The east and west walls of Tomb No. 2 depict scenes of figures holding horse reins and polo mallets. Research suggests that Liao Dynasty polo originated from Tang Dynasty polo, beginning before the founding of the Liao state, flourishing in its middle period, and was an important aspect of the lives of Liao royalty and nobility, influencing later Jin and Yuan dynasties. The figures and instruments portrayed in the southwest wall’s musical performance mural are rarely seen in previous tomb murals.

Significance

The discovery of the Xia Bala No. 2 Area Liao Tombs provides important archaeological insights into the ethnic customs, religious beliefs, cultural life, and burial practices of the Liao Dynasty in North China. In May 2006, they were designated as part of the sixth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units by the State Council.

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Hebei Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units