Archaeologists in Rizhao, a city on China’s east coast, have uncovered three ancient tombs estimated to be around 1,800 years old, dating back to the Han Dynasty. This period, spanning from 206 BCE to CE 220, is often celebrated as a golden age in Chinese history.

The three ancient tombs were uncovered at the cemetery in the Chinese city of Rizhao. Credit: Insтιтute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences

The tombs, part of the Dazhuangzi Cemetery in Shandong Province, were unearthed in preparation for the expansion of a nearby park, an effort led by the Insтιтute of Archaeology at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the Shandong Provincial Underwater Archaeology Research Center.

The Dazhuangzi Cemetery, situated on the eastern terrace of Dazhuangzi New Village in Hushan Town, Lanshan District, lies at the northern foot of Aye Mountain, approximately 3.5 kilometers from the Yellow Sea. Originally marked by two earthen mounds, the cemetery’s second mound had been largely destroyed due to early production activities, but the first mound, measuring 50 meters from north to south and 40 meters from east to west, remained relatively intact.

The three tombs designated M1, M2, and M3, are vertical pit wooden chamber double burial tombs with sloping pᴀssageways leading to their entrances. Despite severe looting of M1 and M2, which left these tombs largely empty, M3 was found in a well-preserved state. The researchers identified that two of the tombs contained bronze seals with the surname “Huan,” indicating a familial connection.

M2 coffin room. Credit: Insтιтute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences

Tomb M1, which measures 4.2 meters long, 3.5 meters wide, and 2 meters deep, was heavily looted with only a few funerary objects remaining, such as a lacquered wooden cup and a glazed pottery pot. The human remains had completely decayed, making it impossible to determine the exact burial method.

Similarly, Tomb M2, located 10 meters southeast of M1, had also been plundered. This tomb, roughly shaped like the character “甲” (jia) and measuring 4.45 meters in length, contained remnants such as a glazed pottery pot, a damaged lacquer table, a bronze seal inscribed with the name “Huan Jia,” and an iron sword.

In contrast, Tomb M3, situated 15 meters east of M1, remained intact and provided a treasure trove of over 70 artifacts. This tomb, designed in a residential style with miniature wooden doors and windows connecting two rooms, appears to have been intended for a husband and wife, although they were likely not buried simultaneously. The well-preserved chamber featured double-layered cover planks, an upper layer of 11 transverse wooden beams, and a lower layer of longitudinal planks.

Cross-sectional reconstruction of the M3 structure. Credit: Insтιтute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences

Noteworthy artifacts from M3 include bronze mirrors, an iron sword, lacquered ear cups, and various glazed pottery items such as pots, jars, and flasks, many with wooden lids. Additionally, a bronze seal inscribed with “Huan Bao De Yin” was found in this tomb.

A particularly unique and rare discovery within M3 was the remains of a coffin carriage, an exquisitely crafted structure used to transport coffins into the tomb. This artifact underscores the high status and wealth of the family interred in the tombs. According to the Insтιтute of Archaeology at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the presence of the Huan family name in multiple tombs is a rare and significant find.

The excavation, which took place from December 2023 to January 2024, involved detailed exploration and careful unearthing of the tombs. The residential-like features of Tomb M3, with its interconnected rooms and elaborate craftsmanship, provide a vivid glimpse into the burial practices and cultural influences of the period, reflecting strong influences from the Chu and Wu-Yue regions.

The tombs’ basic design, featuring sloping entrance tunnels leading to deep chambers within the mound, along with the well-preserved structural details, make this a significant discovery in recent years.