Archaeologists in North China’s Shanxi Province have unearthed the tomb of a noblewoman dating back approximately 3,000 years. Designated as M1033 and located within the Dahekou cemetery in Yicheng County, this finding marks a crucial revelation in Chinese history.

Archaeologists have discovered the tomb of a noblewoman in Shanxi Province, North China, dating back approximately 3,000 years. Credit: Shaanxi Provincial Insтιтute of Archaeology, Xie Yaoting

The tomb, part of the Western Zhou Dynasty’s Dahekou Cemetery, was initially uncovered in 2007, revealing over 600 burials and 20 chariot-and-horse pits. Notably, this discovery has illuminated the existence of the Ba state, previously absent from historical records of the Western Zhou period. Bronze inscriptions found within the cemetery indicate the state clan name as Ba 霸, with Ba Bo serving as its paramount ruler.

Xie Yaoting, leader of the archaeological team, described the tomb as medium-sized, containing a pit in the center housing the remains of a sacrificial animal. The occupant, identified as a female aged between 31 and 34 years old, was buried in a supine posture with straight limbs, suggesting she was a middle-ranking noblewoman from the mid-Western Zhou period.

Archaeologists suggest she was a middle-ranking noblewoman from the mid-Western Zhou period. Credit: Shaanxi Provincial Insтιтute of Archaeology, Xie Yaoting

The tomb revealed a wealth of artifacts, comprising a total of 430 pieces categorized into 93 groups. Among these findings are bronze wares, pottery vessels, jade ornaments, and shellfish containers.

Additionally, a pit in the tomb’s center contained the remains of a sacrificial animal, indicating ritual significance in the burial practices of the time.

The discovery of the Dahekou cemetery has broad implications for understanding the social and political landscape of ancient China. Despite the Jin state’s dominance in much of Shanxi Province during this period, the presence of the Ba state suggests a complex network of feudal states and interactions.

The Dahekou Cemetery Archaeological Team, comprising the Shanxi Provincial Insтιтute of Archaeology, the Cultural Relics Bureau of Linfen City, and the Cultural Relics and Tourism Bureau of Yicheng County, has been instrumental in uncovering this remarkable site.