In an exceptional archaeological discovery, 34 earthen cave-chamber tombs from the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties have been unearthed in Yantai, in East China’s Shandong Province. This marks the most extensive find of such tombs ever made in China. Notably, several beautifully crafted bronze mirrors, featuring intricate engravings on their back, were among the artifacts discovered at the excavation site.
This extraordinary excavation provides invaluable resources for historical research. It presents a unique opportunity to gain deeper insights into ancient funeral customs, cultural shifts, societal structures, and the evolution of burial practices from the Tang Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
The excavation took place at the Dong Guan Southeast Cemetery of Laizhou, in Yantai. Sun Zhaofeng, a deputy researcher at the Yantai Museum and the leader of the archaeological excavation project, provided insight into the breadth of the findings.
According to Sun, the tombs discovered span a significant timeline, with uninterrupted construction from the Tang Dynasty to the late Qing Dynasty. The variety of tombs unearthed was also notable, including earthen pit vertical cave tombs, earthen cave tombs, and rectangular brick cave tombs, among others.
Earthen cave-chamber tombs were a prevalent form of burial during the Tang and Song dynasties. Designed with a north-south orientation, these tombs typically consist of three parts: a tomb passage, a sealed brick wall, and an earthen cave-chamber. The construction of these tombs began with digging a square tomb passage on the southern side, which then leads north to the earthen cave-chamber.
Sun elaborated that the earthen cave-chamber tombs represent a distinctive burial structure. They are seldom found in Yantai due to their unique construction methods, which make them challenging to identify. The successful excavation of these complete earthen cave tombs from the Tang and Song dynasties, however, significantly enhances understanding of their construction methods, features, and characteristics unique to the period.
This discovery opens a rare window into China’s past, offering rich evidence of historical burial practices and an enhanced understanding of the period’s cultural nuances. It reinforces the significance of archaeological research in helping us navigate the labyrinth of human history, bringing us closer to the stories, beliefs, and practices of societies long past.
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