Baihexi Bay Chu Tombs

Baihexi Bay Chu Tombs

The Baihexi Bay Chu Tombs are a cultural heritage site protected by Hunan Province.

Baihexi Bay Chu Tombs

These are Warring States period tombs. Located at the construction site of the County No. 2 Middle School in Baihexi Bay, Qiatong Township, Guzhang County. In 1984, 64 tombs were excavated. All are vertical earthen pit graves, most with head niches, and a few featuring second-level platforms and sloping tomb passages. Over 200 pottery pieces were unearthed, many with black glaze, some decorated with red or other pigments, showcasing vibrant colors and intricate, finely fired designs. Thirty-eight weapons were also found, including one with a flat tang and willow-leaf shape, similar to Ba-Shu style swords. Another has a flat tang and folded shoulder, resembling artifacts from the Pingleshang Yingshanling Warring States tombs in Guangxi. Among the bronze spears, two have three-ring ears on the socket, akin to Ba-Shu style spears. One bronze dagger-axe bears a tiger-striped pattern, while another features an inscription — two seal-script lines incised in intaglio, preliminarily interpreted as “五年□其命修□章作金” (translated roughly as “In the fifth year, [someone] ordered the crafting of this golden [item]”). Four seals were also excavated, two of which are white tiger-shaped seals, and the other two bear seal-script inscriptions “率” (shuài) and “孙容” (Sūn Róng) in relief. Other items include a four-mountains-pattern bronze mirror, chime stones, weights, crystal rings, belt hooks, and more. While the tomb structures and pottery assemblages are predominantly indicative of Chu culture, they also incorporate certain elements reflecting the characteristics of local indigenous ethnic groups.