Zeng Hou Yi's Funeral Banner -- A Record of Major Archaeological Discoveries in China

Author: Tan Weisi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-01-01
Features: The Zenghouyi Tomb, excavated in 1978, is the tomb of the ruler of the Zeng State. Among the ancient musical instruments unearthed from the Zenghouyi Tomb, the massive and well-preserved percussion instrument—the Chime Bell—stands out as the most spectacular. The discovery of the chime bells shocked China and the world, symbolizing the ancient and outstanding civilization of China. It was an unprecedentedly significant find in the fields of cultural relic archaeology, music history, and metallurgical history in China. This book allows you to witness the full scope of the excavation at that time and understand the joys and sorrows of the archaeologists. In 1978, a large tomb from the early Warring States period—the Zenghouyi Tomb—was discovered near Suizhou, Hubei. The tomb yielded a vast number of exquisite bronze musical instruments, ritual vessels, weapons, gold and jade artifacts, chariot and horse equipment, as well as lacquered and bamboo woodware, along with some bamboo slips, totaling 15,000 pieces. What is truly astonishing is that the tomb unearthed a massive and well-preserved ancient percussion instrument—the Zenghouyi Chime Bells (now stored in the Hubei Provincial Museum in Wuhan)—a set of bronze cast chime bells totaling 65 pieces, weighing over 2,500 kilograms. They are ingeniously designed and magnificent in form. Although buried underground for over 2,400 years, their sound quality remains excellent. The discovery of the chime bells shocked the world and were hailed as "the unique treasure among the wonders of the world" and the "eighth wonder of the ancient world." The Zenghouyi Chime Bells are an outstanding crystallization of ancient Chinese civilization. Their discovery filled many gaps in Chinese archaeology, music history, and metallurgical history, and have earned high acclaim in both domestic and international academic circles. Since then, Suizhou has also been known as the "Hometown of Ancient Music." This book records the excavation process of the Zenghouyi Tomb and displays images of some of its artifacts. The bronze artifacts unearthed from the Zenghouyi Tomb are characterized by their abundance, large size, heavy weight, and exquisite craftsmanship. The complex techniques employed, such as compound mold casting, separate casting, casting and welding, and the lost-wax method, reflect the unprecedented height of Suizhou's metal casting, marking a pioneering achievement in China's casting history. The Zenghouyi Tomb first unearthed 16 coarse silk strings, silk and hemp interwoven fabrics, single-layer brocade fabrics, and lock embroidery, showcasing the superb craftsmanship of Suizhou's textile technology, representing a breakthrough in China's textile history. The numerous artifacts unearthed from the Zenghouyi Tomb feature beautiful shapes and magnificent decorations. Whether in bronze sculptures, carvings, or paintings, the designs are vivid and breathtaking, demonstrating an exceptional level of artistic skill that stands as a marvel in China's art history. On the lid of a clothing chest unearthed from the Zenghouyi Tomb, two ends are painted with images of the Azure Dragon and the White Tiger, as well as the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions astronomical diagram. This is the earliest known record in China of the full names of the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions, marking a milestone in China's astronomical history. Too many honors belong to the Zenghouyi Tomb, and too much glory belongs to that era. Step into the Zenghouyi Tomb, step into the ancient civilization of China.