Jishan Chu Tombs

Jishan Chu Tombs

The Jishan Chu Tombs are a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Eastern Zhou Dynasty tombs. Located at the border of Jingzhou and Jingmen cities in Hubei Province, about 10 kilometers south of the ancient capital of Chu, Jinan. Central geographic coordinates: longitude 110°52′–110°54′, latitude 30°23′–30°25′. Covering an area of approximately 12 million square meters, this is a large-scale tomb complex from the Chu State during the Eastern Zhou period.

The Jishan Tomb Cluster centers around Jishan Temple and consists of 22 tomb groups, including Dongtianjiagang, Xiaoxuejiawa, Jianshan, Daxuejiawa, Yangjiagang, and Zengjiazhong. There are currently 227 preserved earthen mound tombs, among which 68 have mound diameters of about 5–10 meters and heights of about 1–2 meters. Seventy-eight have mound diameters of about 12.5–18 meters and heights of about 1–3 meters. Forty have mound diameters of about 20–27.5 meters and heights of about 2–5 meters. Sixteen have mound diameters of about 30–37.5 meters and heights of about 2–4 meters. Nine have mound diameters of about 40–68 meters and heights of about 2.5–7 meters.

The Daxuejiawa Tomb Group has a rather unique arrangement: tombs are aligned in rows from north to south and columns from east to west, totaling 10 rows and 4 columns. The construction is grand and orderly, indicating that the tomb occupants were of very high status in life.

The Jianshan Tomb Group is the most densely distributed. It features over 100 surviving earthen mound tombs, arranged in a north-south orientation across 11 sections. Each section contains one larger central mound, with smaller mounds surrounding it. It is speculated that the Jianshan Tomb Group may have been a clan burial site.

In 1996, it was designated as part of the fourth group of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units by the State Council.

Further reading:

· Second Group of Hubei Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Fourth Group of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units