Tomb of Feng Sufu

Tomb of Feng Sufu

The Tomb of Feng Sufu is a cultural relic protection unit of Liaoning Province.

The Tomb of Feng Sufu, located on General Mountain in Mantou Valley Village, Xiguan Ying Town, Beipiao City, Liaoning Province, is the burial site of Feng Sufu and his wife. Feng Sufu was the younger brother of Feng Ba, the Heavenly King of the Northern Yan, and a Sinicized Xianbei. He died in the seventh year of the Taiping era (415 AD).

The two tombs share a single mound but have separate chambers. The tomb of Feng Sufu’s wife was looted in ancient times. Both are rectangular stone outer coffin burials oriented east-west. The top of the coffins is covered with extremely thick stone slabs, and the interiors are painted with murals depicting figures and celestial bodies. The outer coffin of Feng Sufu is 4.25 meters long and 1.34 to 1.53 meters wide. A small niche is located on the western wall of the earthen pit, containing pottery jars, ox femurs, and rib bones. Although the human bones have decayed, some deciduous teeth of a child were found, suggesting that a young child may have been buried as part of the ritual. The wooden coffin features painted images of feathered figures and buildings. The coffin rings and nails are made of iron but decorated with gold, indicating the continued use of Han dynasty customs, where imperial family members and meritorious officials were buried in “painted coffins.” The tomb of Feng Sufu’s wife contains the remains of a young woman, and a dog was buried as part of the ritual within the outer coffin, reflecting a Xianbei custom.

Over 500 artifacts were unearthed from the two tombs, including gold seals, weapons, armor, horse tack, clothing, ceremonial carriage fittings, stationery, and daily utensils. Among them, the gold crown ornament may be the gold pheasant-shaped ornament from the step-swaying crown favored by Xianbei nobility. The front ornament of the crown bears a hammered image of the Buddha, reflecting the eastward spread of Buddhism at the time. Two gilded bronze stirrups are important materials for studying the development of horse tack. Glassware such as bowls, cups, and duck-shaped water droppers are exquisitely crafted and can be considered precious ancient artifacts.

The Tomb of Feng Sufu is of great significance for studying the political and burial systems of the Northern Yan, and serves as important material for exploring the development of the Xianbei people in western Liaoning, the social conditions of the Three Yan states, and the close political, economic, and cultural interactions between the Han people and northern ethnic minorities.

In May 2006, the Tomb of Feng Sufu, as an ancient tomb from the Sixteen Kingdoms period, was approved by the State Council for inclusion in the sixth batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level.

Protection zone: Within 30 meters in all directions (east, south, west, and north) from the center point of the tomb chamber.

Construction control zone: A first-class construction control zone extending 50 meters beyond the protection zone.

Further reading:

· Fifth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Liaoning Province

· Sixth Batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level