A Brief Report on the Archaeological Surveys of the Maoling of Emperor Wu, Western Han Dynasty

【Author】 Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology, Xianyang Municipal Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology & Maoling Mausoleum

【Abstract】 Maoling Mausoleum, the cemetery of Liu Che,the fifth emperor of the Western Han Dynasty, is located to the south of the present Ce Village, Nanwei Township, Xingping City, Shaanxi Province. It consists of four parts: the cemetery, the township attached to the Maoling Mausoleum after it was built (Maoling yi),satellite tombs, and the graveyard for those constructing the Maoling Mausoleum. The cemetery lies in the middle of the Maoling area, the Maoling yi lies in the northeast of the area, and the satellite tombs are found around the cemetery. The Maoling area has well established facilities and road systems. 

【Key words】 Emperor Wu； Maoling Mausoleum； Maoling area； Western Han Dynasty；

 

 

A Brief Report on the 2010 Archaeological Survey of the Architectural Remains in the Qinshihuangdi Mausoleum

【Author】 Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology

【Abstract】 In 2010,the Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology carried out an archaeological survey of the Qinshihuangdi Mausoleum. The surveyed area is within the mausoleum’s inner city, on its northwest part. It measures 598 meters from north to south, and 241 meters from east to west. In this 150,000 square meter surveyed area, archaeologists found a well preserved architectural site. The structures on each side of the site were built symmetrically in the form often courtyards and nine alleys. These well preserved architectural remains show a perfect design, complicated structures, and are large in scale. Such architectural remains are rarely seen in imperial mausoleums in China, thus, they are important new materials for understanding the Qinshihuangdi Mausoleum as well as the imperial mortuary system of ancient China.

【Key words】 Qinshihuangdi Mausoleum； archaeological survey in 2010； Mausoleum buildings；

 

 

A Brief Summary of New Discoveries in Archaeological Surveys and Excavations Conducted by the Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology in 2010

【Author】 Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology

【Abstract】 In 2010,the Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology conducted more than 150 projects of surveys, reconnaissance and excavations. Among them, the work at the Qin zhidao(speedways)site and the archaeological survey of Mausoleums of the Western Han Emperors were awarded with the ‘ten most significant discoveries of Chinese Archaeology’ honors. In addition, the archaeological works at sites as follows: the Xinjie site in Lantian,the ‘ligong bieguan’(resort palace) of the Qin-Han Dynasties, the Western Han lineage cemetery at Fengxiyuan in south suburb of Xi’an, the Western Han tombs at Zhijiagou, and the Lvshijiamiao site in Lantian add much to our knowledge of archaeological research of different periods in this region. 

【Key words】 Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology； Site； Tomb； New discoveries；

 

 

A Preliminary Study on the Stove Relics of the Yangshao Culture in the Wei River Valley

【Author】 Li Cheng

【Abstract】 As a kind of common ancillary facility in prehistoric houses, stove can reflect the situation of ancient lives to a certain extent and, therefore,can play an important role in the research of prehistoric culture. Based on the variations of shapes and structures, this paper classifies the stove relics of the Yangshao culture in the Wei River Valley into three categories, and discusses the chronological changes and regional characteristics of this kind of relics. This paper then develops research on several related issues, and draws the conclusion as follows: there was a close relationship between the changes of stove relics and the transformations of cooking vessels and houses due to the fact that ancient people kept improving their techniques in order to adopt to the practical needs in daily lives. 

【Key words】 Wei River Valley； Yangshao Culture； Stove Relics；

 

 

The Cosmological Pattern on the Casket in the Tomb of Marquis Yi of the Zeng State

【Author】 Liu Xinfang & Su Li

【Abstract】 The six facets on the casket E66 in the Tomb of Marquis Yi of the Zeng State might pictorially express an concept of ’liuhe’(六合):the lid expresses the meaning of heaven; the inner side painted with red materials represents the living environment of human kind; the bottom means the earth. The characters ‘dou’ and ‘tu’ which are written in the central place of casket lid indicate the Earth’s axis. There are four deity images, ‘mang’(芒), ‘ju’(且), ‘yanzi’(弇兹), ‘xuanming’(玄冥)on four sides of this casket representing the deities ruling east, south, west and north directions respectively. The centralized position of ‘dou’ and ‘tu’ reflects that the universal mechanism and ‘wuxing’(five movements) ideology had been recognized. The entire casket demonstrates a cosmological pattern recognized in ancient time and serves as one line of significant evidence for the study of ancient Chinese cosmology. 

【Key words】 Casket in the Tomb of Marquis Yi of the Zeng State； Cosmological Pattern；‘Dou’(斗) and ‘tu’(土)；

 

 

A Preliminary Study on She and She-Shaped Pendant

【Author】 Huang Qu

【Abstract】 She,also known as jue(決),is one type of ancient archery tools. Inherited from She and undergone a long process of development, Shexingpei retained the basic morphology of She but no longer served as a functional tools ,nor did it represent any sign of social privilege In other words, Shexingpei is only one type of ornaments .Base on published archaeological data of these two types of artifacts and a chronological research of these data, this paper attempts to clarify and shed some new lights on their definitions and functions by juxtaposing archaeological data with historical texts. The general developmental sequence of She and Shexingpei can be subdivided into two stages: the first stage started from the Shang Era and extended toward the Warring States period; the second stage run from the Han Dynasty to the Eastern Jin Dynasty. She and Shexingpei were the major types respectively in these two stages. She and Shexingpei can be differentiated by morphology. Namely, niu button and fushi (attached ornaments) are the major characteristics respectively.

【Key words】 She(thumb ring)； Shexingpei(She-shaped pendent)； Morphology； Periodization； Definition； Function；

 

 

An Explanation of Inscriptions ’Banian xiangbang xuejun,chengxiang shu’ on Lacquer Dou

【Author】 Wang Hui,Yin Xiaqing & Wang Hong

【Abstract】 This paper tries to explain and interpret the incised inscriptions on one long-stem lacquer dou and 3 pieces of dou base fragments. Both of them were looted from the Dongling Mausoleum of the Qin state. These vessels were produced in the Eighth Year of Qin Zhaoxiang King’s reign. The characters of ‘Xuejun’ should be interpreted as Meng Changjun.Shu ‘is equivalent to the ’jinshou’(金受)mentioned in the Qin Benji Chapter of Shiji (Records of the Grand Historian)and ’jintou’(金投)in the Eastern Zhou Chapter of Zhanguoce(Strategies of the Warring State).’Daguan’(大官)means the ’shiguan’(provinsioner)in the central court. These dou were rooted from M1 which might have been the Mausoleum of the Qin Zhaoxiang King.

【Key words】‘Xiangbang ’； ‘Chengxiang’； ‘Xuejun’； ‘Shu’； Lacquer dou of the Qin state；

 

 

Ritual Architectural Complex in the Qinshihuangdi Mausoleum and ’Qinshihuang chu qin’

【Author】 Zhang Zhongli

【Abstract】 A new ritual architectural complex has been identified currently by a reconnaissance survey in the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor. This article discusses the terminology and nature of these buildings, and their inherent relationship with other asynchronous Mausoleums in terms of architectural models. This paper suggests that the ‘qin’(retiring compound) referred in the text ‘zhi Qinshihuang chu qin’(至秦始皇出寝 the retiring compound had not been built until the reign of Qinshihuang)might be an appropriate term for these new discovered palaces. These buildings originated from the systems of ’tianzi liuqin’(天子六寝 emperor has six retiring compounds)and ‘hou liuqin’(后六寝empress has six retiring compounds). Such kind of architectural model highlights the necessities of daily lives, feasting, and amusement in underworld and the demonstration of the spectacular aspects of ritual architectures. 

【Key words】 Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor； Ritual Architectural Complex； ’Qin ’(retiring compound) ‘Tianzi liuqin’； (emperor has six retiring compounds)； ’hou liugong’(empress has six compounds)；

 

 

Basic Understanding of the New Archaeological Discoveries at the Maoling Mausoleum of Emperor Wu,Western Han Dynasty

【Author】 Ma Yongying

【Abstract】 The recent archaeological survey s at the Maoling Mausoleum evoked a new understanding of the lay out of the mausoleum. By comparison to the partially excavated Yangling Mausoleum of Emperor Jing of the Western Han Dynasty, we gathered enough information to understand the function of the architectural remains inside the Maoling cemetery and the storage pits surround the tumulus. The similarities between the Yangling and Jingling’s layout indicate that the rules and designs of the imperial mausoleum had already been established during the reign of Emperor Jing. 

【Key words】 Maoling mausoleum； Cemetery； Storage pits architecture and architectural remains； Satellite tombs Graveyard for tomb builders；

 

 

A Study on the Non-mound Megalithic Tombs in the Eastern Tianshan Mountains Region

【Author】 Zhao Jinglong

【Abstract】 A large amount of megalithic tombs distributed across the pasture area of Xinjiang Province.They are archaeologically distinguishable and can serve as emblems to classify different cultures emerged in the piedmont of Tianshan mountains and Altai mountains. Among these burials, the non-mound megalithic tombs might have stood for one of the early pastoral nomadic cultures which once widely spread over the eastern Tianshan mountains region. In this article, the author tries to discover the relationship between the non-mound megalithic graves and one heretofore poorly known early nomadic culture by studying on these burials in the eastern Tianshan mountains region. 

【Key words】 Eastern Tianshan Mountains region； Non-mound Megalithic tomb； Early pasture-nomadic culture；

 

 

A Study on the Mirror Images in the Han Pictorial Art

【Author】 Guo Ping

【Abstract】 This paper proposes that mirror image is one type of formulized representations presented in the Han pictorial art. Analysis of its backgrounds shows that this kind of images is intimately related to the craftsmanship of pictorial images, funeral spaces, and the concept of yin yang in the Han Dynasty. In other words, it is a contemporary representation of ideology on the sphere of art. It also imposes certain impacts on the development of art forms and styles in later period. 

【Key words】 Han Dynasty； Pictorial Art； Mirror Image； Funeral； Concept of yin yang；

 

 

A Study and Explanation on Yiwushu from a Former Liang Burial at the Luotuo City Site

【Author】 Kou Kehong

【Abstract】 Two yiwushu from a Former Liang burial at the Luotuo city site,dating to Sixteen Kingdoms Period, are explained and, combined with the analysis of textiles from the same funeral context, are used to illustrate the characteristics of prevalent clothes and influences from previous traditions during this time period. Furthermore, the raw materials of ’mian’ (绵),and ’zacai’(杂彩)in burial context indicate that sericulture, mulberry trees planning, and production of silk had been taken places in Hexi region, including Luotuo city. In other words, this region served not only as a transportation center but also as a silk production core on the Silk Road. 

【Key words】 Former Liang Dynasty； Yiwushu(list of burial goods on tablets)； Custom； Hexi； Luotuo city；

 

 

Notes of Two Tomb Guardians of the Tang Dynasty

【Author】 Liu Weipeng

【Abstract】 The author aims to investigate and research on two tomb guardians. The first one was excavated from Ashina Zhong’s tomb which was one of the attendant burials in Zhao Mausoleum. The second one is collected by and now stored at Xianyang Museum. The one from Ashina Zhong’s tomb combines the deities of ‘tiangan’(天干)and ‘dizhi’(地支)to-gether in representation and shows the pattern of ’sifang yazhen’(guard at four directions)similar to the drawing of ’shang xing renxue’(商姓壬穴)in Dili Xingshu(地理新书),a Nothern Song Document. Such pattern is obviously different from that of ‘wufang zhenmu’(guard at five directions)which was prevalent during the Late Tang Dynasty. Besides, the ‘huaidao’ (怀道)tomb guardian should belong to one of the Ten Turkic Khans, Ashina Huaidao, who was buried at Dujiabu in Xianyang city. 

【Key words】 Tang Dynasty； Tomb guardian； Clan of Ashina；

 

 

Several Issues in "Three Tang Dynasty Epitaphs Related to ‘Daminggong’ Palace"

【Author】 Peng Yu

【Abstract】 The article discusses some issues in the transcriptions of epitaph published in "Three Tang Dynasty Epitaphs Related to ‘Daminggong’ Palace"in order to lay down a more solid foundation for future study of this new information. 

【Key words】 Epitaph； Amendment；

 

 

Two Notes on the Oracle Bone Inscriptions from Huadong

【Author】 Shi Bing

【Abstract】 This article attempts to explain the characters of fu and jian on the oracle bone inscriptions from Huadong. The former is an allograph of fu(赴)which is phonologjcally equivalent to bo(踣)and means failure. The latter one can be read as kan(刊)and interpreted as(wood)cutting. In addition, the character(■)on Western Zhou bronze inscriptions, which is resemble to■,can be pronounced as diao. In this way, this character might be the courtesy name of Marquis su of the Jin state. 

【Key words】 Inscriptions from Huadong Orades； Fu(■)； Jian(■)； Zhao(■)；

 

 

A Supplementary Explanation on the Oracle Inscriptions from H90 at the Qijia Village, Fufeng

【Author】 Zhang Juncheng

【Abstract】 Unearthed from the Qijin village, Fufeng,the oracle inscriptions contained in H90 provide a new set of data for the discipline of oracle bone study. The author proposes new explanations of two characters by reanalyzing those data: the graph ‘■’ should be transcribed as ‘■’ while the other graph ‘■’ can be explained as the modern word ‘dao’(cult祷). The entire oracle record means the performance of ‘■’ ritual towards spiritual powers to pray for a cure of ailment.

【Key words】 Qijia Village； Oracle bone inscription from H90； Supplementary explanation；

 

 

Identification of Wet Cleaning Conditions for Appling Saponin Surfactant on Silk Artifacts

【Author】 Lu Zhiyong, Xi Ren & Yang Heng

【Abstract】 Given the current problems of surfactant applied in the wet cleaning of silk artifacts, like the guidelines of application are unclear and there is a shortage of scientific ways to select surfactant, this paper replicates contaminated silk samples in order to test the cleaning performances of Saponin surfactant under different conditions. Concentration of solution, temperature, soak time and mechanical disturbing time are tested with orthogonal experiment method, and feasible wet cleaning conditions are therefore selected for different types of contaminations. Both the results derived from the tests of color variations, micro-observation of fibers, and changes of fiber strength, and the experiment of wet cleaning silk fragments in the Ming Dynasty prove that the wet cleaning conditions scientifically identified in this paper are practical and effective in silk conservation.

【Key words】 Surfactant； Saponin； Silk； Wet cleaning conditions；