Ancient Tomb Cluster of Zaoyuan Village

Ancient Tomb Cluster of Zaoyuan Village

The Ancient Tomb Cluster of Zaoyuan Village is a cultural relic protection unit of Shanxi Province.

Ancient Tomb Cluster of Zaoyuan Village

Ancient Tomb Cluster of Zaoyuan Village (Third Batch of Provincial Protected Sites)

Era: Western Zhou – Han Dynasty

Location: Located in the northeastern part of Zaoyuan Village, Zhangdian Town, Pinglu County

The ancient tomb cluster stretches 350 meters from east to west and 250 meters from north to south. In June 1959, a Han Dynasty brick-chambered tomb was excavated. It is a relatively small semi-circular arched, vaulted brick tomb, which remains well-preserved, and yielded a number of burial objects. The main burial chamber contained a green-glazed pottery pot and a green-glazed pottery granary, inside of which were decayed grains. Also recovered were an iron knife and “Da Quan Wu Shi” copper coins. The side chamber yielded a gray pottery jar, as well as bronze horse-and-chariot ornaments and the skeleton of a sheep.

In 1986, two Western Zhou chariot pits were also discovered, unearthing 28 bronze artifacts including bell-shaped ornaments, mask ornaments, and bronze dagger-axes.

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Shanxi Province