The picturesque province of Shandong in East China is set to witness the convergence of history enthusiasts, scholars, and everyday visitors. Jiyang, a tranquil locale in the region, will soon be home to a new museum, constructed atop the excavation site of two monumental Han tombs. Offering visitors an immersive experience, the establishment will boast a walkway leading directly into the tomb chamber, granting an up-close view of the exquisitely preserved stone carvings from the Han Dynasty (206BC-AD220).
Local reports from Jiyang News confirm the museum’s location within Sanguanmiao village. With construction nearing its culmination, the doors of the Jiyang Sanguanmiao Han Tombs Museum are set to open to the public shortly.
These tombs, discovered in the heart of Sanguanmiao, are hailed as a significant archaeological find in recent years for Jiyang. Noted historian Zhang Tingting, who holds expertise in Han culture, commented on the uniqueness of the carvings within the tomb. She emphasized their grandeur, impeccable preservation, diverse thematic richness, and meticulous craftsmanship. This fresh revelation related to the Han Dynasty has garnered considerable attention, stirring excitement and anticipation across society.
Spanning roughly 4,200 square meters, the Sanguanmiao Han Tombs Museum‘s exhibition hall has been designed with a luminous and welcoming ambiance. The museum is structured in four distinct sections. The inaugural section showcases the pivotal findings from the tombs, including cultural artifacts and rubbings. The subsequent section encapsulates a historical narrative, delineating the Han Dynasty’s unification journey and its enduring legacy of fostering the concept of “great unity” among its populace.
Subsequent sections are dedicated to a diverse display of cultural relics and will serve as a space for hosting revolving exhibitions.
Back in 2019, Shandong recognized the Sanguanmiao site as one among the five seminal archaeological discoveries in the province. This particular excavation brought to light two sprawling Han stone carving tombs, housing hundreds of finely detailed carvings, bestowing the tomb with a distinctive allure.
A particular tomb, identified as M1, boasts a dual tomb passage and multiple chambers. Its orientation is from north to south, and its vastness parallels a contemporary residence with four rooms and two halls. The very existence of such a grandiose tomb, teeming with a myriad of splendid stone carvings, suggests the tomb’s owner was a prominent figure, possibly a high-ranking official or a member of an affluent lineage.
The ongoing commitment to preserving this ancient wonder is evident. Wang Shougong, from the Cultural Relics Protection and Archaeology Department of Shandong, asserted the paramountcy of safeguarding the Sanguanmiao Han Tombs. Given the region’s high groundwater levels, over 5 million yuan has been allocated to shield the tomb from potential groundwater threats.
Beyond the museum’s confines, plans are underway to cultivate a distinct agricultural ecological park centered around the museum, aiming to foster an integrated cultural and tourism project.
The Han Dynasty’s burial practices, symbolized through tombs, offer profound insights into the epoch’s socio-economic fabric, religious convictions, artistic predilections, and inter-ethnic interactions. Stone carvings, prevalent during the Han dynasty, span diverse themes ranging from myths and legends to quotidian life, chronicling the cultural ethos and customs of the era.
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