Yanghai Tombs

　　The Yanghai Ancient Tombs are situated about 1.5 kilometers north of Yanghai Xiamali Village, Tuoyugou Township, Shanshan County, Turpan Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on the Gobi land of the southern foothills of the Flaming Mountains.

　　The total area of the cemetery is 54,000 square meters, primarily distributed across three relatively isolated plateaus that are slightly elevated above the surrounding terrain. These plateaus are elongated in shape, running from north to south, higher in the south and lower in the north, with slight slopes. The three plateaus are relatively isolated and are all covered with tombs. Their distribution characteristics and tomb types vary significantly, hence they are divided into Tomb Areas I, II, and III.

　　Based on their distribution, the Yanghai Ancient Tombs can be divided into eastern and western sections. The tomb structures include rectangular vertical shaft graves, adobe chamber tombs or platforms, and sloped earthen cave tombs.

　　The eastern group of tombs consists of vertical shaft graves and vertical shaft side-chamber graves, dating from the late Bronze Age to the early Iron Age. A rich array of artifacts has been unearthed, mainly including daily-use items and hunting tools such as stone tools, pottery, woodenware, and wool textiles. Late-period tombs also contain murals and documents, making it one of the most representative ancient cemeteries in prehistoric Turpan.

　　The western group of tombs is larger in scale, predominantly featuring tombs from the Jin and Tang dynasties, covering an area of 10 square kilometers. It mainly consists of sloped tomb structures, reflecting different cultural features. The unearthed documents reveal information about the ethnic groups, religions, politics, culture, as well as folk trade and living customs of the time, holding high historical and scientific research value.

　　The Yanghai Ancient Tombs are among the ancient tomb complexes in the Turpan region. The large number of artifacts unearthed here showcase strong local cultural characteristics and hold significant historical, scientific, and unique artistic and cultural value.

　　In May 2006, the Yanghai Tombs were approved by the State Council as part of the sixth group of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level, dating from the Bronze Age to the Tang Dynasty.