Site of Zhūqiū Temple Ruins

Site of Zhūqiū Temple Ruins

The Site of Zhūqiū Temple Ruins is a cultural relics protection unit of Henan Province.

The Site of Zhūqiū Temple Ruins is located 700 meters southeast of Wángcàiyuán Village, Sìtōng Town, about four kilometers northeast of the county seat. It is a site from the Longshan Culture period. In 1987, it was designated as a cultural relics protection unit by the People's Government of Henan Province.

According to the 1984 cultural relics survey, the site rises 1 to 3 meters above the ground, is 180 meters wide from north to south, and covers an area of 45,000 square meters, with cultural layers 3 to 5 meters thick. The high platform beneath the temple and its extended sections all belong to the cultural site. Artifacts unearthed include flat tripod feet, deep-bellied jars, narrow-mouthed beans, flat-bottomed bowls, ring-footed plates, flat-bottomed basins, clarifiers, pottery spinning wheels, pottery net sinkers, stone axes, stone adzes, stone knives, stone chisels, stone arrowheads, clam sickles, bone awls, and more. Multiple red-fired earthen house foundations were also discovered.

The 1916 (5th year of the Republic of China) edition of the Huáiyáng County Annals states: “Zhūqiū Temple is located thirty-five li northeast of the county town.” Legend has it that it was the tomb of Zhu Quánzhōng, Emperor Taizu of the Later Liang during the Five Dynasties period, and later a temple called Zhūqiū Temple was built on the platform, commonly known as Zhūgōng Temple. The New History of the Five Dynasties · Biography of Zhào Chōu records: “When Emperor Taizu of the Liang entered Chenzhou, the Zhào brothers welcomed him respectfully at the head of his horse. However, Zhào Chōu secretly recognized that the Emperor would accomplish great things, so he humbled himself and planned to secure his own position by establishing a shrine for the Emperor in gratitude for his past support.” The site has been in ruins for a long time.

Source: Huáiyáng Government Website

Further Reading:

· Second Batch of Cultural Relics Protection Units of Henan Province