Gunan Cemetery

Gunan Cemetery

Gunan Cemetery is a cultural heritage site protected by Henan Province.

The Eastern Wei and Northern Qi Tombs at Gunan in Anyang, Henan, are located on a high terrace to the east of Gunan Village and Shijiahe Village in Anfeng Township, Anyang County, Henan Province, on the southern bank of the Zhang River, at the 728-kilometer mark of the main canal, at an altitude of 87–93 meters.

The excavation area exceeds 25,000 square meters. A total of 333 tombs have been or are currently being excavated. According to incomplete statistics, the excavated tombs include 32 from the Warring States period, 68 from the Qin and Han dynasties, 6 from the Wei and Jin periods (3 from the Cao Wei period), 3 from the Sixteen Kingdoms period, 144 from the Northern Dynasties (50 from the Eastern Wei, 92 from the Northern Qi, and 2 from the Northern Zhou), 3 from the Sui dynasty, 3 from the Tang dynasty, 1 from the Song dynasty, and 6 from the Qing dynasty. There are also over 60 tombs from undetermined periods that are currently under excavation. A total of 2,201 cultural relics have been unearthed.

From the above data, it can be seen that although the cemetery spans multiple dynasties over a long period, it is primarily composed of tombs from the Northern Dynasties. A number of tomb bricks inscribed with epitaphs from the Northern Qi and Eastern Wei periods have been unearthed here, making the dating relatively clear and accurate. The assemblages of artifacts are largely complete, and most of the burials are of commoners. This is the first discovery of a civilian cemetery from the Eastern Wei and Northern Qi periods around the ancient city of Ye, providing important physical evidence for a comprehensive study of the layout of the ancient city. As these are tombs of common people, further research can more accurately reveal the social life and level of productivity at the time. It also presents new topics for research in anthropology and ethnology, holding significant scientific value. Notably, the discovery of Northern Zhou tombs in this area is also the first of its kind.

Gunan Village: Gunan Village... More information about Gunan Village++

Further reading:

· Fifth Batch of Cultural Heritage Protection Units in Henan Province

· Seventh Batch of Major National Historical and Cultural Sites in China