Mushuonaijie Slate Tomb Cluster

Mushuonaijie Slate Tomb Cluster

The Mushuonaijie Slate Tomb Cluster is a Sichuan Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

This tomb cluster is situated in Mushuonaijie, Haogu, Sikai Township, Zhaojue County, and was discovered in July 1987 during the province-wide cultural relics survey conducted by local heritage workers. There are 56 tombs in total, all located on the eastern slopes of two hills in Mushuonaijie, covering a total area of approximately 50,000 square meters. Some of the tombs remain partially intact. The tomb cluster is bordered by Sanwan River to the east, Mozi Mountain to the south, deep gullies on both sides, Luosunaijie Mountain to the southwest, and is about 800 meters north of the Sanwan River Bridge. The tombs are constructed from thin slate slabs, with no covering stones on top, and are entirely exposed above ground. The tomb structures come in three shapes: rectangular, trapezoidal, and elongated. Most tombs face either south-to-north or east-to-west. Among them, Tomb M53 measures 2.8 meters in length and 0.9 meters in width, while Tomb M37 is 0.45 meters long and 0.2 meters wide. The remaining tombs are roughly 1.5 to 1.24 meters in length and about 0.6 to 1 meter in width. A pointed-stitch patterned sandy pottery shard with a flat base was collected at the site.

Since its discovery, experts and scholars from the provincial and prefectural levels have conducted multiple on-site investigations. They concluded that the Mushuonaijie Slate Tomb Cluster is an ancient burial site dating from the Warring States period to the Western Han Dynasty. With its long history and large number of tombs, it is the most densely concentrated ancient tomb cluster in the region. It holds significant value for the study of the history of southwestern ethnic groups. In response, the People’s Government of Zhaojue County designated an area of 60 mu centered around the Mushuonaijie Slate Tomb Cluster as a key protected zone on June 23, 1996, with relevant department heads present to demarcate the boundaries.

Protected Area: Extending 50 meters outward in the east, south, west, and north directions from the boundary lines of the Mushuonaijie Slate Tomb Cluster.

Construction Control Zone: An additional 50-meter buffer beyond the protected area.

Sikai Township: A township under the jurisdiction of Zhaojue County. Established in 1951, it was reorganized as a commune in 1972 and reinstated as a township in 1984. Located in the southwestern part of the county, it is 22 kilometers from the county seat, covering an area of 89.1 square kilometers with a population of 9,000. The Héchuān–Mùlǐ Highway and Pǔgé–Sānwānhé Highway intersect here. The township administers eight village committees: Suosuolada, Geluowaluo, Yilimu, Walinaituo, Sawaiheluo, Jiwaluoqiebo, Leguejue, and Sawalu’er. The main agricultural products are corn, rice, potatoes, buckwheat, and oats. The area is known for its Sichuan pepper and serves as a county apple production base. 1983, 1…… More details about Sikai Township++