The Houcun Tomb Cluster

The Houcun Tomb Cluster

The Houcun Tomb Cluster is a cultural heritage site protected by Shanxi Province.

The Houcun Tomb Cluster (Fourth Batch of Provincial Protected Sites)

Era: Eastern Zhou and Han Dynasties

Location: East of Houcun Village, Jjing Township, Yanhu District

According to the Pingyang Prefecture Records: during the Zhou Dynasty, the “Transportation Office” in Hedong was known as Xuncheng, which was located twenty li south of Yishi County. There was also a Xuncheng northwest of Xie County. The people of Xuncheng lived, worked, and were buried here, and their descendants continued this tradition into the Han Dynasty.

The Houcun Tomb burial area spans 300 meters from north to south and 500 meters from east to west. The tombs are rectangular vertical pit graves aligned in a north-south direction, varying in size and structure. The unearthed artifacts are mostly pottery, including pottery tripods, pottery dou (food vessels), pottery hu (wine vessels), as well as Han Dynasty green-glazed pottery watchtowers, pottery granaries, pottery dou, green-glazed pottery hu, and green-glazed ear cups.

Jjing Township: A township under the jurisdiction of Yuncheng City. In 1958, it belonged to Qianjin Commune; in 1961, Xizhang Commune was established separately; in 1984, it became a township. Located at the southwestern tip of the city, it is 30 kilometers from downtown. It covers an area of 75 square kilometers with a population of 15,000. The township administers 12 village committees: Xizhang, Nanjia, Xidi, Dongdi, Xiaohu, Xihu, Donghu, Lijiafen, Majiafen, Chaijiayao, Lijiazhuang, and Shaojiayao. Mineral resources include coal. The main agricultural products are wheat and cotton, and it is rich in fruits such as apricots, peaches, pears, dates, persimmons, and apples. Historical sites include the Tomb of Zhang Qian. …… More details about Jjing Township++

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Shanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Protected Sites