Muchuonajie Slate Tomb Cluster

　　The tomb cluster is situated in Muchuonajie, Haogu, Sika Township, Zhaojue County. It was discovered in July 1987 during a provincial cultural relics survey carried out by local heritage workers. There are a total of 56 tombs, all distributed on the eastern slopes of two hills in Muchuonajie, covering an area of approximately 50,000 square meters. Some of the tombs are partially preserved. The tomb cluster borders Sanwan River to the east, faces Mozishan Mountain to the south, is flanked by deep valleys on both sides, and lies southwest of Luosunaijie Mountain. It is about 800 meters north of the Sanwan River Bridge. The tombs are constructed from thin slate slabs, with no covering slabs, and are entirely exposed above ground. The tombs come in three shapes: rectangular, trapezoidal, and elongated. Their orientations are primarily facing either south-to-north or east-to-west. Among them, Tomb M53 measures 2.8 meters in length and 0.9 meters in width, while Tomb M37 is 0.45 meters long and 0.2 meters wide. The remaining tombs are roughly 1.5 meters to 1.24 meters long and about 0.6 meters to 1 meter wide. A sand-tempered pottery shard with pricked patterns, believed to be part of a flat-bottomed jar, was collected from the site.

　　Since its discovery, experts and scholars from the provincial and prefectural levels have conducted multiple on-site investigations. They have concluded that the Muchuonajie Slate Tomb Cluster dates back to the Warring States period through the Western Han Dynasty. With its long history and large number of tombs, it is the most densely concentrated ancient burial site in the area. It holds significant value for research on the history of ethnic groups in southwestern China. In recognition of this, the People's Government of Zhaojue County designated, on June 23, 1996, a key protected area of 60 mu (approximately 4 hectares) centered around the Muchuonajie Slate Tomb Cluster, with relevant department heads present at the site demarcation.