Horse Village Brick Carving Tombs

Horse Village Brick Carving Tombs

The Horse Village Brick Carving Tombs are a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Horse Village Brick Carving Tombs are located in the western part of Horse Village, about 4 kilometers west of Jishan County, Shanxi Province. The tombs date back to the Song and Jin dynasties (960–1234 AD).

The Horse Village Brick Carving Tomb complex covers an area of approximately 16,000 square meters. The tombs use brick carvings to represent the layout of the residences of the tomb owners during their lifetimes, often featuring a four-courtyard structure with a front hall, rear hall, and wing rooms on either side. These carvings reproduce the architectural styles of the time and provide valuable physical evidence for the study of architecture during the Song and Jin periods. The opera and dance brick carvings unearthed at the site depict the structure of theatrical stages and performance formats of the era, making them among the most significant archaeological finds related to the history of drama. Additionally, the twenty-four filial piety three-dimensional sculptures discovered here are vividly crafted and beautifully shaped, representing rare artistic treasures.

The exquisite and diverse brick carvings of the Horse Village Brick Carving Tombs hold great value for the study of architecture, drama, social customs, ethics, and religious beliefs during the Song and Jin dynasties.

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units