Ma’anzhong Chu Tomb

　　    Ma’anzhong Chu Tomb is located about 100 meters west of Wafangzhuang in Dalian Township, approximately 200 meters west of the Xincai River. The two mounds are connected, resembling a horse saddle, hence the common name “Ma’anzhong” (Horse Saddle Mound).

　　    From 1980 to 1983, cultural heritage departments from Henan Province, Zhoukou Prefecture, and the county jointly excavated the tomb. The southern mound is over 2 meters high, with a “中”-shaped tomb layout; the northern mound is over 4 meters high, featuring an “甲”-shaped tomb layout. Artifacts in both tombs had been looted long ago. Fifty meters west of the mounds are two large accompanying chariot-and-horse pits. The northern pit is 35 meters long and 4.72 meters wide, containing 24 horses, 8 chariots, and 2 dogs; the southern pit is 40 meters long and 3.7 meters wide, holding 23 chariots, over 20 clay horses, and 6 banners. Both chariot pits date back to the period when the Chu capital was at Chen City (278–241 BCE). Based on the scale of the pits and the structure of the tombs, experts have determined that the southern mound is the tomb of King Qingxiang of Chu. These chariot pits are currently the largest ever archaeologically excavated in Chu, containing the greatest number of buried chariots and horses. In 1988, it was designated as a county-level cultural relics protection unit.

　　    Source: Huaiyang Government Website