The Daiwangcheng Tomb Cluster

The Daiwangcheng Tomb Cluster

The Daiwangcheng Tomb Cluster is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Daiwangcheng Tomb Cluster is located 1.5 kilometers southeast of Daiwangcheng in Yu County, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province. Like the Taiziliang Han Tomb Cluster, it is believed to be the burial site of kings, nobles, and generals of the Dai State through various dynasties. It is extremely important physical evidence for studying the funeral system and material culture of the Dai State. The Han tomb cluster is spread across three areas—east, south, and west—of the ancient city, with 63 existing earthen mounds. It was once the burial ground for the royalty and nobility of the Dai State during the Han Dynasty. It is now a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

On the flat ground of the Wangcheng Tomb Cluster, massive stone structures rise up, covering an area of about 8,000 square meters, with continuous rows of towering burial mounds. According to surveys, the tombs are divided into four groups, totaling 27 earthen mounds, numbered M1 to M27. Each mound has a diameter ranging from 40–50 meters for the larger ones to just over 10 meters for the smaller ones, and heights varying between 10–15 meters. These structures are quite imposing and represent the burial grounds of nobility who resided within the Han-era city. In October 1973, the westernmost mound in the cluster was excavated, yielding Han Dynasty pottery, jade artifacts, and wuzhu coins, among other items. The remaining tombs are relatively well-preserved. There are currently 63 surviving earthen mounds, all of which were burial sites for royalty and nobility of that time.

Further Reading:

· Second Batch of Hebei Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units