Mangcheng Han Tombs -- A Record of Major Archaeological Discoveries in China

Author: Lu Zhaoyin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-10-01
Features: The discovery of the Mawangdui Han Tombs has revealed the burial structures and customs of the feudal kings during the Western Han Dynasty, providing important material evidence for studying the development of handicrafts and arts and crafts in the Han Dynasty, such as metallurgy, casting, lacquerware, and textiles. The Mawangdui Han Tombs are the graves of Liu Sheng, the Prince of Zhongshan, and his wife Dou Wan, of the Western Han Dynasty. Liu Sheng's tomb is approximately 52 meters long, with a maximum width of about 38 meters and a maximum height of about 7 meters. It consists of a passage, a carriage and horse chamber, storage rooms, a front hall, and a rear chamber. Dou Wan's tomb is largely similar in structure to Liu Sheng's. The two tombs have large burial chambers and luxurious funerary goods, with over 10,000 artifacts unearthed, including gold, silver, bronze, iron, jade, stone, pottery, lacquerware, and silk textiles. These include famous items such as the "Golden Thread Jade Suit," the "Longxin Palace Lamp," and the "Inlaid Gold Baoshan Lamp."