Yuan Taizi Tomb

　　   Yuan Taizi Tomb is situated in Yuan Taizi Village, Shier Taiyingzi Township, Chaoyang City, Liaoning Province. Discovered in 1982, it has since been preserved and protected on-site. The tomb yielded a wealth of precious cultural relics, including pottery, glazed pottery, bronze cauldrons, bronze kui vessels, and horse tack.

　　   The stone walls of the tomb chamber were coated with a layer of yellow straw clay, then covered with a layer of white plaster, on which murals were painted in red, yellow, green, ochre, black, and other colors. On the inner side of the door pillars inside the tomb entrance are depicted gate attendants, facing each other from east to west. In the right niche of the front chamber is a painting of the tomb owner, seated on a couch beneath a canopy, with maids standing behind screens on either side. On the south wall in front of the owner's image, four female figures are painted standing side by side facing the owner. On the western wall’s front section, the upper part depicts a food-offering scene, while the lower part shows the White Tiger and Vermilion Bird among the Four Symbols. The top of the niche on the western wall illustrates a plowing scene with oxen. The rear section of the western wall shows a courtyard scene. The eastern part of the northern wall depicts a butchering scene. The upper part of the niche on the northern wall shows the Xuanwu figure. The front part of the eastern wall shows a hunting scene. The northern part of the eastern wall shows a dining scene. The upper part of the niche on the eastern wall shows a chariot-and-horse scene. Other murals include images of a couple, horses, armored warriors on horseback, as well as the sun, moon, drifting clouds, and a black bear, painted on the walls of the side chambers and the tomb ceiling. These murals represent the painting standards of the Eastern Jin period.

　　   Tombs from the Eastern Jin period are relatively rare in the Chaoyang area, and those that feature both rich murals and a large number of unearthed artifacts are especially unique. The discovery of this tomb provides authentic and reliable material for studying the social life, clothing, and painting art of the Eastern Jin period. Since it was looted early on, parts of the murals and inscriptions have been lost. Therefore, after excavation, the immovable murals and associated relics were preserved in situ through sealing and protection.

　　   In May 2006, Yuan Taizi Tomb was approved by the State Council to be included in the sixth group of Major National Historical and Cultural Sites.