Ancient Elegance Unearthed: The Earliest Western Han Dynasty Tomb Found in Chongqing

Chongqing - The Chongqing Cultural Relics and Archaeology Research Institute recently announced a remarkable discovery in Wulong District, Chongqing: a well-preserved tomb from the early Western Han Dynasty (202 BC – 25 AD). This archaeological find, notable for its precise chronological dating, has unveiled over 600 artifacts. It stands out in Chongqing's history for the volume of artifacts and the tomb's ancient era, making it the earliest Western Han tomb identified to date in Chinese archaeology.

In September this year, under the auspices of the National Cultural Heritage Administration, the Chongqing Cultural Relics and Archaeology Research Institute assembled a team of over 20 experts. They aimed to excavate a site that revealed the "Guankou Western Han Dynasty No. 1 Tomb," a significant archaeological find.

A remarkable discovery of tombs from the Han (202 BC – 220 AD) to the Six Dynasties period (222-589 AD) has been made, with the "Guankou Western Han No. 1 Tomb" standing out as the most significant. Untouched by tomb raiders, this tomb boasts over 600 well-preserved, valuable artifacts, including lacquerware, woodware, bamboo ware, pottery, bronzes, and textiles, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the era.

Discovering ancient China: The remarkable preservation of "Guankou Western Han No. 1 Tomb"

Huang Wei, the project's lead archaeologist, highlighted that the tomb's excellent preservation was due to the coffin being fully submerged in water. This unique circumstance shielded the tomb and its contents from air and other deteriorative factors, leading to the remarkable preservation of a vast array of funeral artifacts. These artifacts offer invaluable insights into the Western Han period's burial practices and societal norms.

The "Guankou Western Han No. 1 Tomb," unearthed in this project, is classified as a Chu^[1]-style tomb, distinguished by its primary use of lacquer woodware in burials. The excavation revealed various lacquerware, Yushang^[2], and patterns akin to those found in the Jingchu region, underscoring its Chu cultural traits. Remarkably, the tomb also contained garlic-shaped pots^[3] characteristic of Qin culture and bronze items from the Ba and Shu cultures (known as Chongqing and Sichuan nowadays), showcasing a rich blend of Ba, Shu, Chu, and Qin cultural influences.

First-ever discovery in China: 23 "Ganzhi" wooden slips unearthed

The wooden slips discovered among the artifacts, notable for their textual clarity, are a significant aspect of the excavation. Huang Wei detailed that these slips fall into two groups: a complete set of 23 "Ganzhi^[4]" wooden slips^[5], and another set of 8 "Qiance" slips, which catalog burial items. Within this latter set, three slips are yet to reveal their inscriptions.

Huang Wei highlighted the unique discovery of a complete set of "Ganzhi" wooden slips, a first in China. The "Qiance" slips, crucial for ancient funeral rites, were used to record burial items, with five found in the "Guankou Western Han No. 1 Tomb" specifying types and quantities of objects interred. These slips are invaluable for understanding Western Han burial customs and practices. Additionally, they clarify the naming of ancient artifacts, resolving historical debates about their identification.

The discovery of a unique Western Han period wooden boat model in the "Guankou Western Han No. 1 Tomb" marks a significant archaeological milestone, as it is the only known example in China. This find is particularly remarkable considering that in Northern China, due to a dry climate, ancient people rarely used wooden boats, opting instead for chariots and horses as grave goods. Conversely, despite boats being more common for transportation in the South, their inclusion in burials was uncommon, highlighting the exceptional nature of this discovery.

The unearthed artifacts, including models of chariots and horses, were found scattered throughout the "Guankou Western Han No. 1 Tomb" due to the water's buoyancy and the pressure exerted by the stacked wooden coffins. These pieces, significant to the tomb's historical context, now necessitate comprehensive restoration efforts to be returned to their original form.

Huang Wei emphasized the exhilaration of this archaeological find, not only for the artifacts' abundance and diversity but also due to the precise chronological dating identified on the "Qiance." These records, dating to the second year of Emperor Hui of Han (193 BC), accurately pinpoint the tomb's era. The discovery of the "Yu Jian Bi^[6]" signifies the tomb owner's high status. The well-preserved "Qiance" meticulously lists the names, quantities, and dimensions of the grave goods, suggesting the owner was likely a high-ranking official, with further research underway to confirm his exact identity. 

Endnotes

1. Chu: Originally a Zhou dynasty vassal state, Chu, also known as Jing and Jingchu, was established by King Wu in the early 8th century BCE. It was conquered by Qin in 223 BCE. Chu's culture initially mirrored other Zhou states along the Yellow River. Over time, however, it evolved uniquely by integrating elements from the Baiyue (also known as Hundred Yue) people in the conquered southern and eastern territories, leading to a distinct cultural blend different from the northern plains.

2. Yushang: This ancient Chinese wine vessel, known for its oval shape and shallow belly, features a flat bottom and distinctive half-moon-shaped ears on both sides. Some variations include a pancake-shaped bottom or a goblet form.

3. Garlic-shaped pots: The garlic-shaped pot, originating in the Qin and Han dynasties, is characterized by its distinct small garlic-shaped mouth, elongated neck, and rounded belly. Available in ceramic and early celadon types, it represents a classic pot style from the Western Han era. The design evolved in the Eastern Han period, featuring a fuller belly and a more flattened round shape. Additionally, these pots often bear intricate decorative elements, including human figures, dragons, and tigers, artistically sculpted around their neck and shoulder areas.

4. Ganzhi: Known as the sexagenary cycle, this system comprises a cycle of sixty terms used historically in China and the East Asian cultural sphere for time recording. Each term represents one year, culminating in a sixty-year cycle. It incorporates 10 Heavenly Stems and 12 Earthly Branches. Documented in China's earliest written records, the sexagenary cycle has been a fundamental method for day recording throughout history.

5. 23 "Ganzhi" wooden slips: The discovered set comprises a total of 23 wooden slips, including 10 representing the Heavenly Stems and 12 for the Earthly Branches, along with one additional slip documenting daily life, particularly for that day.

6. Yu Jian Bi: As part of jade sword ornaments, Yu Jian Bi is intricate jade embellishments attached to iron swords, featuring components such as pommels (shou), guards (ge), hilt collars (zhi), and scabbard ends (bi). These adornments, collectively termed Yu Ju Jian (jade-adorned swords), originated in the Spring and Autumn period (approximately 770 to 481 BCE) and the Warring States period (475 BCE to 221 BCE). They reached their zenith during the Han Dynasty and gradually faded thereafter. Historically emblematic of nobility and esteemed gifts, they symbolized the status and distinction of their owners.