The Mazhuang Han Tombs

The Mazhuang Han Tombs

The Mazhuang Han Tombs are a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Shanxi Province.

The Mazhuang Han Tombs (First Batch of Provincial-Level Protected Sites)

Era: Han Dynasty

Location: Mazhuang Village, 8 km northwest of Hunyuan County

During the Western Han Dynasty, the area where the Mazhuang Han Tombs are located was within the territory of Guo County in Yanmen Commandery, an area where the Han people frequently interacted with ethnic minorities. The tomb cluster is situated around the Guchengwa area of Mazhuang Village, featuring over 20 burial mounds.

In 1973, two tombs from the Han Tomb cluster were excavated and cleared. Both tombs were rectangular earthen pit vertical shaft wooden-chambered tombs with sloping entry passageways. One tomb contained two lacquered coffins, surrounded by sand and pebbles. Burial objects unearthed included bronze nails, a bronze incense burner, a bronze Boshan-style censer, bronze fabric, and a stone inkstone, leading to the inference that this was a joint burial tomb for an official couple. The other tomb had one coffin set, with the skeleton identified as male. Burial items found included an undecorated bronze cauldron, a washing basin, a cylindrical vessel, an incense burner, and a brush handle. A large number of fragmented iron pieces were found beneath the skeletal remains, suggesting that the deceased may have been a military official.

Further Reading:

· First Batch of Provincial-Level Cultural Heritage Protected Sites in Shanxi Province