Lanshi Tomb Cluster

Lanshi Tomb Cluster

The Lanshi Tomb Cluster is a cultural heritage site protected by Foshan Municipality.

Eastern Han Dynasty · Foshan · The Lanshi Tomb Cluster is located on Dashonggang and Baxiangang hills in Foshan’s Lanshi area. In 1961 and 1962, nine tombs were excavated. Between 1972 and 1979, multiple excavations took place, uncovering over 100 Eastern Han Dynasty tombs. The tombs are divided into two types: earthen pits and brick-chambered tombs, with the latter being more common. They come in various forms, including rectangular, central corridor (“中” shaped), “divining-crack” (“卜” shaped), and cross-shaped. The tombs consist of a sealed doorway, passageway, front chamber, rear chamber, and side chambers. The bricks are either red or gray, rectangular or wedge-shaped, with a few featuring decorative patterns. The tomb walls are built using staggered flat-laid bricks, with arched ceilings, and the floors are paved with bricks or layered with sand. The unearthed burial objects are mainly pottery, featuring a wide variety of vessel types and decorative styles, often coated with thin layers of green or greenish-yellow glaze. The tomb also yielded an abundance of pottery models, such as pottery houses, wells, stoves, livestock, female dancing figurines, and models of rice paddies with boats. Bronze items include mirrors, swords, and wuzhu coins, while ornaments consist of agate beads and glass beads. There are also remnants of ironware and lacquerware.

In 1998, the Foshan Municipal People's Government designated it as a cultural heritage protection site.