Precious Brick-Chambered Tombs Of Six Dynasties Discovered In China

MessageToEagle.com –  Twenty seven brick-chambered tombs of Six Dynasties (222-589), Sui Dynasty (581-618) and Tang Dynasty (618-907) in Xiangcheng District of Xiangyang, Central China’s Hubei province were recently discovered by archaeologists from the Xiangyang Institute of Cultural Relics and Archeology.

Over 70 pieces of cultural relics have been unearthed, including bronze wares, silver wares, pottery, porcelain, jade articles, as well as over 10,000 precious dated bricks and portrait bricks.

An ancient brick-chambered tomb discovered in Xiangcheng District of Xiangyang, Central China's Hubei province. Credits: People.cn
An ancient brick-chambered tomb discovered in Xiangcheng District of Xiangyang, Central China’s Hubei province. Credits: People.cn

Among the tombs, an Eastern Jin (317-420) tomb and a Southern Dynasties (420-589) tomb have the highest archaeological significance.

Xiangyang Institute of Cultural Relics and Archeology find out 27 ancient brick-chambered tombs in Xiangcheng District of Xiangyang, Central China's Hubei province. [Photo/people.cn]
Xiangyang Institute of Cultural Relics and Archeology find out 27 ancient brick-chambered tombs in Xiangcheng District of Xiangyang, Central China’s Hubei province. Photo/people.cn
The brick coffin chamber of the Eastern Jin tomb is 2.2 meters long, 0.66 meters wide and 0.55 meters high.

"Taiyuan year 21, Han's tomb" is engraved on one side of the tomb brick. "Taiyuan year 21" is the year 396 AD.
“Taiyuan year 21, Han’s tomb” is engraved on one side of the tomb brick. “Taiyuan year 21” is the year 396AD. Credits: People.cn

“Taiyuan year 21, Han’s tomb” is engraved on one side of the tomb brick. “Taiyuan year 21” is the year 396 AD.

Bronze mirrors, porcelains, potteries and other cultural relics have been unearthed from the tomb. The brick coffin chamber of the Southern Dynasties tomb is 7 meters long, 3 meters wide and 3 meters high.

The brick coffin chamber of the Southern Dynasties tomb is 7 meters long, 3 meters wide and 3 meters high. The fine bricks were made of clay. Ornamental patterns were engraved on every brick, portraying animals, plants, portraits and religious stories.
The fine bricks were made of clay. Ornamental patterns were engraved on every brick, portraying animals, plants, portraits and religious stories. Credits: People.cn

The fine bricks were made of clay. Ornamental patterns were engraved on every brick, portraying animals, plants, portraits and religious stories.

Credits: People.cn
Credits: People.cn

According to the archaeologists, Xiangyang has been a regional central city since the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220). Many Southern Dynasties tombs with portrait bricks had been unearthed there.

Xiangyang located in northwestern Hubei province, People’s Republic of China, was formed from two ancient cities, Xiangyang and Fancheng. It was known as Xiangfan until 2010.

It has a history of over 2800 years. It was the location of major battles during the Three Kingdoms period in 191 A.D. between Sun Jian and Liu Biao and in 1267-1273 A.D. between the Southern Song and the Mongols.

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source: China.org.cn