Guanghan Han Tombs Cluster

Guanghan Han Tombs Cluster

The Guanghan Han Tombs Cluster is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Guanghan Han Tombs Cluster is located to the south of the Old and New Guangwu cities in Shanyin County, Shuozhou City. There are a total of 288 tombs. The entire cluster lies against the mountains to the south and connects to the Shuozhou plain to the north. Viewed from south to north, the burial mounds of varying sizes are scattered densely across the landscape, descending gradually in height. The tallest mound is over ten meters high, while the shortest is also more than three meters. In terms of both scale and number, it ranks first in the country. In 1988, it was designated as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit, and a management office for the Guanghan Han Tombs Cluster was established at its southern end. Although the tombs have not been excavated, four collapsed chambers at the northwestern end reveal that they are brick-chambered tombs. Artifacts unearthed include pottery pots, jars, bowls, cosmetic boxes, and wuzhu coins. Based on the shape of the tombs and the excavated relics, they are believed to date back to the Eastern Han Dynasty.

According to relevant records, during the reign of Emperor Guangwu of the Eastern Han Dynasty, this area saw continuous warfare for over 50 years, and most fallen soldiers were buried nearby. The height and size of the burial mounds were determined by the deceased’s military rank, adhering to a strict hierarchy—the larger the mound, the higher the rank of the tomb owner. The entire Han Tombs Cluster covers an area of 7.5 square kilometers, with 294 mounds currently marked. Mound No. 236 is the largest, covering 4 mu (about 0.27 hectares) and standing about 20 meters high. This is the largest known cluster of Han Dynasty tombs in China to date and holds significant reference value for the study of the politics, economy, and culture of the Han Dynasty. It was officially designated as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit in 1988.

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units