Chongqing - A recent discovery of the "Guankou Western Han No. 1 Tomb" in Wulong, Chongqing, stands out as China's earliest Western Han tomb with clear chronicles, attracting significant attention.
On December 15, more than 20 eminent experts from cities like Beijing, Wuhan, Chengdu, Xi'an, and Chongqing gathered in Wulong. Their visit to the newly excavated site was followed by a pivotal meeting dedicated to discussing this extraordinary archaeological find's preservation and future utilization.
The area marked in red is the "Guankou Western Han No. 1 Tomb" in Wulong, Chongqing. (Photo/Chongqing Daily)
The "Guankou Western Han No. 1 Tomb," uncovered during the Chongqing Wujiang Baima Navigation and Hydropower Project, is a significant find. It is acknowledged as China's earliest known Western Han tomb and boasts explicit chronological records. Wooden slips from the site, dating over 2,200 years, provide a fascinating glimpse into ancient history.
The tomb revealed an extraordinary collection of over 600 artifacts, encompassing a diverse range of lacquerware, bamboo ware, bronze, ceramics, and jade.
Unearthed in Chongqing and submerged in groundwater, the "Qingshui Mu" tomb offers exceptional preservation. Remarkably well-preserved items, including Yushang[1] and lacquer plates, owe their pristine condition to protective isolation from air in the underwater environment.
The unearthed bronze wares (Photo/Chongqing Daily)
Within the head chamber of the tomb, a significant trove of 180 artifacts was uncovered, among which the wooden slips stood out as a particularly noteworthy find. These slips were categorized into two distinct types: the "Ganzhi[2]" wooden slips and the "Qiance" slips (used to catalog burial items). Notably, of the eight "Qiance" slips unearthed, one was identified as a "Gao Di Shu[3]," lending additional historical significance to the find.
The "Gao Di Shu" slip notably contains the inscription "Yu Shi[4] Chang," suggesting that the tomb's occupant held the position of a Censor in the Western Han period. Although his surname is undiscovered yet, "Chang," his given name, has been definitively recorded.
This raises a question: was "Chang" interred in this location due to his official duties in Ba Prefecture (present-day Chongqing)? The expert team posits that it was more a matter of "returning home for burial," implying that "Chang" originally hailed from Ba Prefecture and chose to be buried in his native land posthumously.
The unearthed wooden figurine (Photo/Chongqing Daily)
In addition to the inscription "Yu Shi Chang," the "Gao Di Shu" also references "Fuling," thereby pushing back the historically accepted timeline of Fuling's establishment by several decades.
The prevailing scholarly view is that Fuling was founded during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, around 140 BC, in the inaugural year of the Jianyuan era of the Western Han Dynasty. However, its mention in the "Gao Di Shu" suggests that Fuling's inception occurred no later than the early Western Han period, thus revising a key aspect of early Chinese history.
A detailed physical anthropological examination of the remains in the wooden coffin indicated that the tomb owner was a male in his middle to later years. The analysis, focusing on the well-preserved vertebral height and the length of the metatarsal bones, suggests that he stood over 175 cm tall. The robust nature of his limb bones further points to a tall stature that was indicative of considerable physical strength during his lifetime.
The discovery of two pairs of "woven shoes," each measuring 27 cm long, equivalent to a modern size 44 (US size 10.5, UK size 8), provides further evidence of the tomb owner's considerable stature.
The unearthed woven shoes (Photo/Chongqing Daily)
The "Qiance" records reveal that the burial items encompassed not only the customary servant figurines but also unique figurines representing family members. The inclusion of wooden figurines carved to depict family members in burial rites is a practice of exceptional rarity across the nation. This distinctive discovery is of considerable importance in advancing the study of ancient wooden figurines and their cultural significance.
The unearthed wooden figurine (Photo/Chongqing Daily)
The "Guankou Western Han No. 1 Tomb" is a testament to cultural integration, highlighting the fusion of Ba, Shu, Chu, and Qin elements during the early Han era. Among the artifacts, Tong Mou (bronze pots or helmets) are quintessential to Ba culture
Several pieces of lacquerware bear the "Cheng Shi Cao[5]" imprint, tracing their origins to the renowned lacquerware workshops of Chengdu in ancient Shu, modern-day Sichuan Province. The intricate decoration and unique designs of the lacquerware are indicative of Chu culture. Moreover, garlic-shaped pots[6], a hallmark of Qin cultural heritage, further enrich the collection's historical tapestry.
The early Han discovery suggests post-Qin Dynasty economic vitality. Chengdu's lacquerware manufacturing exemplifies ongoing innovation and economic development.
The unearthed lacquerware (Photo/Chongqing Daily)
The tomb testifies to cultural fusion, indicating the owner's influence. Located strategically, it witnessed the amalgamation of diverse cultural elements, portraying the Ba-Yu region's integration into Chinese culture, especially during the early Western Han period.
The unearthing of this tomb holds immense academic significance, offering invaluable insights into the burial customs of the Han Dynasty and the interplay between the upper Yangtze region and the broader scope of Chinese civilization.
The "Guankou Western Han No. 1 Tomb" is remarkably well-preserved, maintaining a distinct and intact structure, and notably, it has remained untouched by tomb raiders.
The unearthed lacquerware (Photo/Chongqing Daily)
More than 600 artifacts have been excavated from the tomb, a number anticipated to grow as the meticulous examination and categorization of these items progresses. The array of burial artifacts discovered within the tomb encapsulates a rich tapestry of cultural influences, embodying an exquisite blend of Ba, Shu, Chu, and Qin artistic styles.
This diverse collection serves as a compelling testament to the significant cultural advancements achieved in the Ba-Shu region during the early Western Han period.
The archaeological excavation site of the "Western Han No. 1 Tomb" at Guankou, Wulong, Chongqing (Photo/Chongqing Daily)
Experts advocate that in evaluating the archaeological significance of the "Guankou Western Han No. 1 Tomb," equal emphasis should be placed on its preservation and judicious utilization. This approach is aimed not only at safeguarding this historical treasure but also at leveraging it to enhance and promote cultural tourism development.
Constructing a site park or a thematic museum, with a core focus on preserving the tomb, offers a dual benefit: it would accentuate the natural beauty of Wulong while simultaneously bringing its rich historical and cultural heritage to the forefront. Such an initiative promises to draw tourists, thereby playing a pivotal role in bolstering local economic growth and cultural appreciation.
Archaeological experts conduct site visits and inspections. (Photo/Chongqing Daily)
It is recommended that the "Guankou Western Han No. 1 Tomb" be approached with a wider perspective, prioritizing not only its conservation but also the meticulous cleaning of the artifacts uncovered and comprehensive interdisciplinary research.
Moreover, collaborative archaeological initiatives in the Jialing River basin, involving both Sichuan and Chongqing, should be pursued. This collaborative approach aims to deepen the understanding and appreciation of the rich Ba-Shu cultural heritage.
Furthermore, it is proposed to integrate the "Guankou Western Han No. 1 Tomb" into the expansive blueprint of the Yangtze River National Cultural Park. This integration would involve meticulous planning and systematic execution of projects related to the site.
There should be a focused effort on actively leveraging the rich cultural discoveries unearthed, especially through the development of museums dedicated to these finds, making this a priority in the project's agenda.
Experts inspect the "Guankou Western Han No. 1 Tomb" archaeological excavation site. (Photo/Chongqing Daily)
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Gao Di Shu: The Gao Di Shu, also known as Gao Di Ce, was a prevalent burial document in the early Western Han Dynasty, now categorized under the field of archaeology. It mirrored the format of "passes" and "credentials," commonly utilized in customs clearance documents of that era, and adopted the authoritative style of official government documents. This document was symbolic, notifying the netherworld authorities of the deceased's household registration, property, and other pertinent details. The intent was to ensure that the deceased could transition smoothly and legitimately between the Yang world (the realm of the living) and the underworld (Hades), ultimately securing a place in Hades' household registration. The use of such documents, primarily during the early Western Han Dynasty when the household registration system was stringently enforced, reflects that period's unique social and psychological need.
4. Yu Shi: The term can be directly translated as "Censor," which denotes a formal title held by officials in a dynastic government. This position entailed overseeing and regulating the administrative machinery of the empire, playing a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the officialdom.
5. Cheng Shi Cao: During the transition from the late Warring States Period to the Han Dynasty, the state-sponsored production of lacquerware flourished. Inscriptions found on unearthed lacquerware reveal a range of production departments, suggesting the existence of specialized governmental units dedicated to lacquerware manufacturing from central to local levels. Many ancient lacquerware pieces have been discovered with bear marks like "Cheng Shi Cao," "Cheng Shi Su," and "Cheng Shi Bao." The term "Cheng Shi" likely refers to the provincial designation for Chengdu City.
6. 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.
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