Andabozi City Site

Andabozi City Site

The Andabozi City Site is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Andabozi City Site is located approximately 35 kilometers east of Bairin Temple Town, the seat of the Darhan Muminggan Joint Banner in Baotou City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. It is also known as the Potazi City Site.

The city site has a square layout, with each side measuring about 500 meters. The earthen walls were rammed and stand 0.9 to 1.5 meters high at their highest remaining points. There is one gate on each of the four sides, each with an outer barbican. Corner towers are set at the four corners, and there are also crenellations along the northern wall. Over thirty building foundations have been discovered within the city, connected by a cross-shaped street leading to the four gates, each 8 to 10 meters wide. Outside the city lies a moat, 7 to 8 meters wide and 0.9 to 1.2 meters deep. Artifacts collected from the site include fragments of tubular tiles, flat tiles, gray pottery basins with flared rims, straight-necked jars, as well as pieces of iron-flower-decorated white porcelain jars and tea-urns.

On the high ground northeast of the city, there is an ancient tomb cluster. Two tombs have been excavated so far; they are earth-pit cave tombs containing wooden coffins, with single individuals buried in a supine position with straight limbs, heads facing west, and dressed in silk clothing. The site also features Nestorian tombstones, indicating that it is the burial ground of the Alawusis clan of the Ongud people.

In May 2006, the Andabozi City Site was designated by the State Council as part of the sixth group of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Further Reading:

· Sixth Group of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units