What will we see when we open the “Millennium Han Tomb”?

(Please read in the bright sunshine)

Changxin Palace Lantern, Jade Clothes with Golden Threads

Susha Zenyi, "Horse Stepping on Flying Swallow"

Boshan furnace inlaid with gold, figurines of drumming and singing

"Five Stars Rising from the East Bring Good Luck to China" Brocade Armguard

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They come from all corners of the world

But from the same place

Han Tombs

(Some unearthed cultural relics from the Han tombs, photographers @柳叶氘, Li Wenbo, Long Shijie, Zhu Fusheng, Liu Yusheng, Su Lihuan, Yu Yiqi, Xiao Yining, Nanyue King Museum, map @汉青/星球研究院)

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Mawangdui Han Tomb in Changsha, Hunan

Lady Xin Zhui has been sleeping for more than 2,000 years

Lifelike faces

In the Han Tombs of Mancheng, Hebei

Liu Sheng, King Jing of Zhongshan, wearing a jade robe with gold threads

The soul is transformed into a fairy

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(The "Lady Xin Zhui" mentioned above may be the "Lady Bi", which is still controversial in the academic community. This article currently uses the name "Xin Zhui" and will not be repeated. The following figure shows the distribution of major Han tombs in China. Map @Chen Zhihao, Han Qing/Planet Research Institute)

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2021

A Han Dynasty tomb selected as one of China's "Top 100 Archaeological Discoveries of the Past Century"

About 1/2 of the total number of tombs

It can be called " half of the country of tomb archaeology "

Why did the Han Dynasty produce

So many precious ancient tombs?

How were these Han tombs “deified”?

Immortality of the body

Han Dynasty

Conquer the Xiongnu in the north and open up the Western Regions

Banish all schools of thought and respect Confucianism alone

It is the first in China

The Great Unified Dynasty Known as the " Golden Age "

Unprecedented territory

Unprecedented concentration of wealth

People at that time were concerned about what happened after death

Also uphold the tradition of lavish burials

(Gold cake, from the tomb of Marquis Haihun, photographer @李文博)

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The concept of the soul that goes hand in hand with burial

A complete system was formed in the Han Dynasty

The “Spirit” in the Eyes of People of the Time

Can be divided into "soul" and "spirit"

The "soul" is immortal and can ride a dragon to ascend to heaven

The soul dies with the decay of the body.

For the longevity of the soul

The need to delay the decay of the body as much as possible

The first method used by people at that time was

Deep Buried

For example

Tomb of the Nanyue King, Guangzhou

Digging down from the top of the mountain about 20 meters high

Splitting the mountain to build a mausoleum and then rebuilding an underground palace

So far away from the world

(Sketch of the Tomb of the King of Nanyue in Guangzhou, drawn by @Luo Zihan/Planetary Research Institute)

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Nearly 20 meters from the ground

Mawangdui Tomb No. 1, Changsha

The coffin containing the remains

Filling weight is more than 10,000 catties

Charcoal with a thickness of 0.4-0.5 meters

And thickness 1-1.3 meters

White plaster with strong viscosity and low water penetration

At that time, people filled the soil layer by layer and compacted it.

A constant temperature, constant humidity, oxygen-deficient, sterile

The emergence of underground space

Tomb owner Xin Zhui's wife

Sleeping here for more than two thousand years

Skin remains smooth, delicate and elastic

It's a miracle

(Schematic diagram of the structure of Mawangdui Han Tomb No. 1, drawn by @Luo Zihan/Planetary Research Institute)

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besides

Located about 24 meters inside the mountain

Mancheng Han Tombs in Hebei

Once the tomb door was closed

Until the arrival of archaeologists

No more opening

(Sketch of the top door of a Han Dynasty tomb, drawn by @杨宁/Planetary Research Institute)

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Han Tombs Hidden Deep Underground

The depth of the tomb

Like a dark road to the underworld

(Tomb passage of the Han Tomb at Guishan in Xuzhou, Jiangsu, photographer @王新伟)

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After the soil or mountain is isolated and preserved

The second method is

Protection of multiple coffins

Coffin is a coffin

The coffin is the wooden coffin, wooden wall or wooden chamber outside the coffin.

Number of coffins used in burials

Refer to the ritual system since the Zhou Dynasty

(Zhuangzi: The Son of Heaven, Xunzi: On Rites)

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"The emperor's coffin has seven layers, the princes' has five layers, the officials' has three layers, and the scholars' has three layers."

(Mrs. Xin Zhui's wooden coffin is a square coffin, drawn by @Luo Zihan/Planet Research Institute)

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Tomb No. 168 of the Han Dynasty at Fenghuang Mountain, Jiangling

Buried as "Five Great Doctors"

According to the doctor's specifications

Two coffins and one outer coffin

Mawangdui Han Tomb No. 1, Changsha

The buried one was Xin Zhui, the wife of Marquis Dai.

According to the princes' specifications

Four coffins and one outer coffin

(Mrs. Xin Zhui opened the coffin to indicate that the Marquis of Wei mentioned above was a marquis in the early Han Dynasty and was regarded as a vassal in a broad sense. Photographer: @任俊豪, map: @汉青/星球研究院)

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The first layer is a black lacquer coffin

The second layer is a black painted coffin

The third layer is a red painted coffin

The fourth layer is the inner coffin decorated with brocade

Layers of mortise and tenon joints

Such a gorgeous and intact coffin

The first in the country

(Schematic diagram of the wooden coffin structure of Lady Xin Zhui, photographer @Ren Junhao, map @Luo Zihan/Planet Research Institute)

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Beijing Dabaotai Han Tomb

The buried person may be the King of Yan or the King of Guangyang

Although the coffin is somewhat decayed

But still can see

It is in accordance with the emperor's specifications

Five coffins and two outer coffins

(A diagram of the five coffins and two outer coffins in the Han Dynasty Tomb of Dabaotai. In the picture, there was originally a coffin inside the coffin on the bottom layer, but it was too rotten to be restored and is not shown in the picture. Map by @罗梓涵/星球研究院)

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And outside this coffin

There is also a higher specification wooden structure

It is called " Huangchangtichou "

Play the same anti-corrosion role as the coffin

"Yellow intestine" is yellow heart cypress

"Ticou" is a vertical stacking method

Huangchangticou from Tomb No. 1 at Dabaotai

About 14,000 pieces of cypress wood were used

The wooden wall is 3 meters high and 0.9 meters thick

Total length: about 42 meters

(Sketch of the Yellow Inscriptions on the Han Tomb at Dabaotai, photographer @李文博, map @罗梓涵/Planetary Research Institute)

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This yellow cedar

Strong anti-corrosion and fragrant

It is also helpful to drive away snakes, insects, rats and ants

Besides yellow cedar

Jade as the Essence of Heaven and Earth

In the minds of the ancients

It can also keep the body from decaying.

Jade-inlaid lacquer coffin

Born from this

(Jade-inlaid lacquer coffin, photographers @Shi Yaochen, Lu Wen, map @Hanqing/Planet Research Institute)

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The inner wall of the jade-inlaid lacquer coffin in the Mancheng Han Tomb

It is inlaid with 192 pieces of jade.

The mouth of the coffin lid

Four jade ornaments inlaid on the top and bottom

It is called "small waist"

This type of jade-inlaid lacquer coffin

This is the first discovery in Chinese archaeological history.

(Sketch of the jade-inlaid lacquer coffin in the Mancheng Han Tomb, drawn by @Luo Zihan/Planetary Research Institute)

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After we peeled off the layers of coffin

The tomb owner who rests in peace

There is a third method of antiseptic

That is, multiple quilts and jade clothes

The owner of the tomb used a jade-inlaid lacquer coffin

Usually wear jade clothes

Drilling small holes in jade

Connect with gold, silver, copper wire, etc.

As funeral attire

They are called gold-thread jade burial suit, silver-thread jade burial suit and copper-thread jade burial suit respectively.

But there are exceptions

Jade Clothes Used by the King of Nanyue in Guangzhou

Braided with silk thread

This is also the only complete

Silk Jade Clothes

(Silk thread jade clothing, picture from @Nanyue King Museum, map @Hanqing/Planet Research Institute)

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Among the more than 30 jade suits unearthed in China

The Jade Robe with Gold Threads Worn by Liu Sheng, King Jing of Zhongshan

It is my country's archaeological

The earliest, highest grade and best preserved

Jade Clothes with Gold Threads

It is made of 2498 jade pieces and about 1100 grams of pure gold thread.

Made of thread

It can be divided into face cover, head cover and shoes

Wait for 12 parts

(Disassembly of the Jade Cloth, photographer @李文博, map @杨宁/Planetary Research Institute)

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The owner of this Mancheng Han Tomb

Place at least four layers of " Mourning Jade "

The innermost layer is filled with ears, mouth, nose, etc.

The Jade Plug of the Nine Apertures

"Gold and jade in the nine orifices make the dead immortal"

Outside are 18 huge jade disks.

"Jade Corpse Clothes" Wrapped in Fabric

On the inner wall of the inner coffin

It is also inlaid with 192 rectangular jade pieces.

The "jade bushing"

The last 26 jade discs were inlaid outside the coffin.

The body is covered and shaped layer by layer by jade pieces.

Become an immortal "jade statue"

Thousands of years later

We can still see its face

(A diagram of some of the “funeral jades” found in the Mancheng Han Tombs, courtesy of @杨宁/Planetary Research Institute)

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After the Han Dynasty

The golden jade garment often contains thousands of jade pieces

With valuable gold thread

Lure living people to frequently rob tombs

Emperor Wen of Wei, Cao Pi,

(From "Records of the Three Kingdoms: Annals of Emperor Wen of Wei")

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"All the tombs of the Han Dynasty were excavated, and the jade boxes (jade clothes), gold threads, and bones were burned and taken out."

Order banning the use of jade clothing

The jade clothing disappeared from the world.

Status or financial resources during life

The tomb owner was not qualified to use the jade clothes

He was buried with many clothes and quilts .

For example, Lady Xin Zhui from Mawangdui Han Tomb No. 1

Silk fabric wrapped around the body

As many as 18 floors

(Some of Lady Xin Zhui's costumes, drawn by @杨宁&汉青/Planet Research Institute)

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From the outside in

There is a "Chengyun Embroidery" Huangqi Cotton Quilt

"Longevity Embroidery" Huang Juan Brocade Quilt

Printed yellow gauze cotton quilt

Various styles including red silk gowns

(Silk fabrics in the Mawangdui Han Tomb, photographers @Jiang Chenming, Yang Zhe, Long Shijie, map @Hanqing/Planet Research Institute)

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And open the layers of packaging

A female corpse sleeping for a thousand years

Revealed before our eyes

The eyelashes on her eyes

Pores on the skin

Devastated by the years

Still clearly visible

Press with your fingers

Her forehead, abdomen and arms

The sunken flesh quickly recovered and bounced back

Lifelike

(Restored wax figure of Lady Xin Zhui, picture from @Visual China)

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Deep burial, multiple coffins

Sealing methods such as multiple quilts and jade clothes

The remains of the tomb owner can be preserved forever.

Even like a living person

In the minds of the Han people

Since in immortal flesh

Retaining the spirit of man

The food, clothing, housing and transportation he had during his lifetime

Should also serve forever

Immortal Soul

Immortality of the Soul

To restore real life

soul

Own underground space

Start to keep

Closer to the ground buildings

A "space revolution" is about to begin

Before the Han Dynasty

The depth of the tomb

Mainly vertical excavation

It is called "vertical hole"

(Qin Gong Tomb No. 1 is a vertical pit tomb from the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. The pit is about 24.5 meters deep. Photographer: Li Wenbo)

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The tombs of the Han Dynasty

It is around the tomb owner

With it as the core

Continuous horizontal expansion

Expanding the range of souls

First outside the coffin

Use wooden boards to cut into compartments and wooden boxes

Buried objects

Often piled up in a mess

(Sketch of an incised Han tomb. The Han tomb described above is technically called an "incised type". Map by Luo Zihan/Planetary Research Institute)

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Then appeared

A tomb chamber high enough for living people to pass through

And corridors and other passages

Spatial attributes are refined

Funeral objects were arranged in categories

(Sketch of a corridor-type Han Dynasty tomb. The Han Dynasty tomb described above is technically called a "corridor-type" tomb. Map by @Luo Zihan/Planetary Research Institute)

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People imitated real-life houses

The originally compact tomb chamber was spliced into a square

Expand one by one, connected by corridors

Balanced

(Please watch in horizontal mode, the long corridor-type Han tomb is shown in the figure. The Han tomb described above is technically called "long corridor-type", drawn by @Luo Zihan/Planetary Research Institute)

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Among them is the Han Tomb No. 2 at Baoan Mountain in Yongcheng, Henan Province.

Particularly shocking

If 100㎡ is a three-bedroom and one-living room apartment

This tomb is equivalent to 16 three-bedroom and one-living-room apartments.

The Han tomb gradually grew into

Comparable to above-ground buildings

" Underground Palace "

(Please watch in horizontal mode, a schematic diagram of the No. 2 Han Tomb at Baoan Mountain in Yongcheng, Henan Province, drawn by @罗梓涵&陈随/Planet Research Institute)

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Han Dynasty Emperors

After ascending the throne

One third of the national budget

Dedicated to the construction of the mausoleum

The main mausoleum of the emperor and empress

With countless burial tombs

A large underground park

(A schematic diagram of the Hanyang Mausoleum site. Hanyang Mausoleum is the joint burial site of Emperor Jing of Han and his empress. Map @Chen Zhihao/Planet Research Institute)

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So far

The space owned by the tomb owner

From the narrow rectangular coffin

Gradually expanded into huge tombs and underground palaces

The eternal abode of the soul

Born

(The corridor of the Han Dynasty Tomb in Leitai, Gansu Province, photographer @仇梦涵)

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Utensils used by the tomb owner during his lifetime

Such as food, furniture, bedding

Clothes, stationery, etc.

They were buried here

Make this place

The happy home of the soul

In the imagination of the people

Here is the soul of Liu Sheng, King of Zhongshan

Breaking out from the layers of jade clothes in the Mancheng Han Tombs

On the coffin bed and the gilded jade-inlaid bronze pillow

Wake up slowly

Peppercorns in the pillow

It has anti-insect, antibacterial, anesthetic and analgesic effects

Let Liu Sheng be slightly intoxicated

(Gilded copper pillow inlaid with jade, photographers @苏李欢、风沉郁, map @汉青/星球研究院)

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He entered the side room

Copper jars and basins for storing water

Bathing and changing clothes

Clothes stored in furniture

The wrong Jinboshan furnace

Scented with fragrance

The furnace cover is like undulating mountains

Gold wire and gold flakes throughout

The stretched cloud pattern

The fairy mountains, seas and dragons above

Inadvertently exudes the Han Dynasty

The demeanor of playing with the world in the palm of your hand

(Wrong Jinboshan furnace, photographer @苏李欢, map @汉青/星球研究院)

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Liu Sheng's wife Dou Wan

Also started to dress up

Changxin Palace Lanterns Given by the Imperial Family

To dispel the darkness in the tomb for her

(Changxin Palace Lantern, Photographers @Publin, Long Shijie, Map @Hanqing/Planet Research Institute)

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She looked in the mirror

Use the cinnabar in the dressing box

Applying makeup

(The Vermilion Bird holds a copper cup in its mouth. People speculate that it may be used to hold red cinnabar and other cosmetics. Photographer: Li Wenbo, map: Hanqing/Planetary Research Institute)

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The male host is decorated with jade

Various jade belt hooks (belt buckles), jade ornaments

Take your pick

A well-dressed couple

Gold and jade are around, very pleasing to the eyes

(The jade ornament of King Jing of Zhongshan, photographer @风沉郁, map @杨宁/Planetary Research Institute)

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at the same time

The kitchen is preparing meals for the host and hostess

There are a lot of rodents and fish in the food warehouse

Three bear-foot bronze tripod used for cooking

Copper cover with buckle

Similar to today's pressure cooker

(Three bear-foot bronze tripod, photographer @柳叶氘, map @汉青/星球研究院)

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King Jing of Zhongshan, who loves wine

Oversized ceramic jar

One room for storing wine

There is also a "Warming Wine Zun" for hot wine.

His drinking vessel is also very exquisite

There are pots, fangs, bells, oval cups, etc.

Bronze wine vessel

There are lacquer wine vessels such as jars, cups, and ear cups

There is a "copper chain wine pot" for going out

There are even rare colored glaze ear cups at that time.

Some of them are him

Specially sent people from thousands of miles away

Purchased from Luoyang

(Drinking vessels in the tomb of King Jing of Zhongshan, photographer @柳叶氘, map @汉青/星球研究院)

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Not long

On the lacquer table decorated with gilded ornaments

Full of delicious food

In the central banquet hall

Bronze sheep lamps, Boshan stoves, mat weights, tents and other indoor furnishings

Get Ready

(Tent diagram, drawn by @Luo Zihan/Planetary Research Institute)

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Entertainment is inevitable between banquets

Dice and drinking money from the palace

It comes in handy here and adds fun

(Gold and silver inlaid copper dice, photographer @柳叶氘, map @汉青/星球研究院)

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There is a dormitory for rest

Banquet in the central hall

There is a carriage waiting outside

The dissolute Prince Jing of Zhongshan

From this eternal joy

(Please watch in horizontal mode, the tomb of King Jing of Zhongshan is shown here, drawn by @罗梓涵/Planetary Research Institute)

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And on the other side, Liu He, the Marquis of Haihun

He was a member of the same royal family as Liu Sheng, the Prince of Zhongshan.

It is also a treasury, a granary, and an arsenal.

Entertainment equipment library, document archives

Everything you need, no worries about food and clothing

(Sketch of the Tomb of Liu He, Marquis of Haihun, courtesy of @Hanqing/Planetary Research Institute)

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but

Liu He met by chance

He was emperor for 27 days

Even if it is abandoned later

Still retains some of the palace's wealth

Because the property level is too high

Cannot be used at will

Liu He could only sleep with gold as his pillow

Sleeping in the tomb

Under his coffin

More than a hundred gold cakes are neatly arranged

The amount of gold Liu He possessed

Even more than the total amount of gold unearthed during the Han Dynasty

(Gold unearthed from the tomb of Liu He, Marquis of Haihun, photographer @李若渔)

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His dressing mirror depicts

The earliest known image of Confucius

His "Qi Lunyu"

As one of the earliest versions of the Analects

Lost for about 1800

And thus saw the light of day again

When he held a banquet

It is also a lacquered wooden screen, complete with rituals and music.

A kingly demeanor

(Reconstruction scene of Haihunhou Museum, photographer @李若渔)

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Unfortunately, Liu He was ill.

I never paid attention to singing, dancing and banquets.

He often takes cordyceps and herbal medicine

Use hot pot to remove dampness in winter

Cool off with cantaloupe in the hot summer

Focus on health

In contrast

A foreign prince far away from the Central Plains

Zhao Xuan, King of Nanyue

Prefer gourmet food

The tableware used is also more rustic

Square copper grill

Burning charcoal on the bottom

Place the dried meat on the top and fry it

Similar to today's "teppanyaki"

(Copper frying pan, picture from @Nanyue King Museum, map @Hanqing/Planet Research Institute)

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The copper oven cooks

Just like today's "barbecue"

The iron rod is long and the oven is large.

You can roast whole rabbit, whole chicken and suckling pig

The largest oven

There are 4 axle wheels at the bottom

Can be moved at any time

Also equipped with iron chains

Can be hung and carried

Convenient outdoor grilling

(Copper oven, picture from @Nanyue King Museum, map @Hanqing/Planet Research Institute)

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There is also a copper ginger spoon [cǎ]

For grinding ginger paste and ginger juice

In conjunction with the tomb

More than 10 kinds of fish and shellfish for fresh consumption

The most suitable

(Tongjianglin, picture from @Nanyue King Museum, map @Hanqing/Planetary Research Institute)

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In terms of appearance

The Nanyue King Zhao Tuo also had a meeting with the princes of the Central Plains

Not to be outdone

For example, a silk pillow filled with pearls

And the decorations that hold up the screen

It is like a long snake entangled, extremely enchanting

(Please watch in horizontal mode, the lacquered wooden screen is restored, the figures in the picture are for reference only, the picture comes from @Nanyue King Museum, the map is @Hanqing/Planet Research Institute)

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Men's alcohol, sex, money and anger

Women are more interested in beauty

The wife of the Prime Minister of Changsha

Lady Xin Zhui

With more than 100 pieces

Clothing and Silks

Various cotton robes, single clothes, single skirts, shoes and socks

Embroidered pillows, robe edges, towels, gloves

Scented sachets, mirror sachets, needle sachets, medicine sachets, and belts

and rolls of single-width fabrics, etc.

Almost all types of dyeing and weaving in the Han Dynasty are covered

Such a large number of intact textiles have been unearthed

This is the first time in our country

(Dyed fabrics in the tomb of Lady Xin Zhui, photographers @李文博,柳叶気,朱福升, map @汉青/星球研究院)

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"Fashion" and "Haute Couture" in the Han Dynasty

Traveling through time about 2000 years

Come before us

Lightweight, transparent, and thin

Plain gauze Zen clothing

Weighs less than 50 grams

It was the highest level of silk reeling and textile technology at that time.

(Signaled by Susha Zenyi, photographer @Lu Minglang, map @Yang Ning/Planet Research Institute)

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More than just clothes

Pursuing the Beautiful Lady Xin Zhui

Wigs that go all the way to the top of your head

Blue silk shoes down to the soles of the feet

A lot of effort has been put into every place

(Makeup items in the tomb of Lady Xin Zhui, photographer @柳叶氘, map @汉青/星球研究院)

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She is used to place combs and grates

Dressing box for wigs, cosmetics, etc.

Such as single-layer five-child box, double-layer nine-child box, etc.

It is colorful and full of emotion

Especially the double-layer nine-child box[lián]

This is the first time that it has been unearthed in my country.

Because of the protection of paint

Even if its surface has been through thousands of years

Still as clean as new

(Dressing box in the tomb of Lady Xin Zhui, photographer @柳叶氘, map @汉青/星球研究院)

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From dressing up in fancy clothes to feasting

From bathing and burning incense to maintaining a healthy and long life

The whole tomb is trying its best

For the tomb owners

Keep the beauty of this life

but

A tomb between the Yin and Yang worlds

In addition to placing the

Beyond earthly objects

You must also possess the tools of the underworld.

Preparing the Soul for the Afterlife

The Underworld

The unknown of the dead realm

Inspire people

Infinite imagination and creativity

According to daily life

Made by people at that time

Small imitations made of wood or ceramic

That is, tomb objects

Enriching the life of the tomb owner on the other side

All movable and immovable property

For example, pavilions, wells, stoves, granaries, etc.

Both can be made into symbolic burial objects

Put into the tomb and send to the underworld

(Green Glazed Pottery Building, Photographer @龙世杰, Map @汉青/星球研究院)

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A finely shaped

Pottery with geese, horses and guards

In another world

In exchange for an entire manor castle

A small investment with a big investment

(Green glazed pottery water pavilion, photographer @龙世杰, map @汉青/星球研究院)

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The awakening of goodness in human nature

It is also reflected in the tomb objects

Before Qin and Han Dynasty

The cruelty of burying living creatures

Gradually disappeared during the Han Dynasty

Changed to burial pottery and wood

Pigs, dogs, cattle, sheep

(Pottery pig burial pit in Yangling Mausoleum of the Han Dynasty, picture from @汇图网)

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The same is true of human sacrifice.

Wooden, pottery or stone figurines

Buried alive

Life and death are merciless

And the goodness of human heart

There is already too much bitterness in the world

Then in another world

All living beings must have their own place and their own happiness.

The chef continues to be the chef

(Kitchen figurines, stored in Chengdu Museum, with various ingredients on the chopping board waiting to be processed by it, photographer @寸日)

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The rapper keeps on rapping

(Rap figurines, hidden in Chengdu Museum, photographer @曹铁)

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Farmers continue to farm

Irrigating paddy fields and working on the fields

Life is in good order

(Shitiantang, photographer @Long Shijie, map @Hanqing/Planet Research Institute)

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The figurines are smiling

Reshaping the underworld

Transforming the Netherworld through Labor

Create a better future with labor

Death is extremely romanticized

(Tao Yang fan figurine, photographer @Cao Tie, map @Han Qing/Planet Research Institute)

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The placement of some figurines in the tomb

Greatly restored

Functions and scenes during life

For example, Mawangdui Han Tomb No. 1

Ten dressed female servant figurines were unearthed

Eight clothed singing and dancing figurines and five painted musicians figurines

Opposite this group of figurines

There are lacquer tables and screens placed on the

Lacquer table with food on it, etc.

These clothed maid figurines

It should be the tomb owner's personal servant.

Waiting for him in the underworld

Continue to enjoy the singing and dancing

(A group of figurines with singing and dancing. The tomb owner who enjoyed singing, dancing and feasting during his lifetime also had to continue playing music and dancing in the underworld. Photographers @李泳锡, 李文博, map @汉青/星球研究院)

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besides

101 more

Same height, similar demeanor

Painted standing figurines

Should be an ordinary servant

(Please watch in horizontal mode, the painted figurines are from the actual photos when they were unearthed. All the figurines are exhibited in one place, like an ancient version of "Creation 101". Photographer: @李泳氧, map: @汉青/星球研究院)

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When the figurines put on armor

Ride on a tall horse

A sea of people

The momentum of a mighty army

Believable

They are in another world

Able to continue to expand territory

(Terracotta Warriors and Horses of the Han Dynasty Tomb at Lion Rock, photographer @铁影随行)

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The Han Dynasty gave its generals great courtesy

Military funeral

Real cars and horses in reality

Wooden or ceramic chariot and horse models are usually used instead.

The rather special Leitai Han Tomb

Bronze chariots and horses were used

(The age of the Leitai Han Tomb is still controversial, it may be a Jin Dynasty tomb. This article is based on the age specified in the "List of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units". The picture below is the bronze chariot and horses of the Leitai Han Tomb. The photographer is @陈宸)

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The most famous bronze galloping horse

Because of its posture

Three feet in the air, one foot on a swallow

Also known as "Horse Stepping on Flying Swallow"

(Bronze Galloping Horse, Photographers @Yu Yiqi, Yao Peng, Map @Hanqing/Planet Research Institute)

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There is also the Yangjiawan Han Tomb

10 pits nearby

More than 580 cavalry figurines are buried here

More than 1,800 infantry terracotta warriors

" Live as a hero, die as a ghost hero "

Such a magnificent procession of carriages and horses

Let the tomb owner be a general of the Han Dynasty

In the underworld

Defending the country and fighting on the battlefield

(Terracotta Warriors and Horses of the Han Tomb in Yangjiawan, photographer @李文博)

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Outside the tomb

Murals and brick carvings in the tomb

The memories of life, ups and downs

Sent into another world

The soul is connected to the murals

Always experiencing the good times of the past

Preaching

(Lecture picture brick, photographer @Cao Tie, map @Han Qing/Planet Research Institute)

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feast

(Banquet portrait brick, photographer @Cao Tie, map @Hanqing/Planet Research Institute)

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Music and Dance

(Acrobatics, music and dance portrait bricks, photographer @Cao Tie, map @Han Qing/Planet Research Institute)

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Car and Horse

(Axe cart portrait brick, photographer @Cao Tie, map @Han Qing/Planet Research Institute)

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(Double-riding portrait brick, photographer @Cao Tie, map @Hanqing/Planet Research Institute)

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Salt production

(Salt-making portrait bricks, photographer @Cao Tie, map @Hanqing/Planet Research Institute)

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Behind the Condensed Mural

Reflecting a wider world

The end of the underworld

Or the highest achievement

It is to be reborn in paradise and attain enlightenment.

In the magnificent imagination of the people of the time

The Underworld, the Human World, and Heaven

Three-dimensional space is connected

Like the T-shaped painted silk painting

The appearance it carries

The center of the picture is the mundane world

The heroine appears here with a cane

Above her head

There is a toad in the moon and a golden crow in the sun

It is the scene of heaven

And death is but a door

Go to a realm where the sun, moon and stars are your companions

(T-shaped silk painting from Mawangdui Han Tomb No. 1, photographer @柳叶氘, map @汉青/星球研究院)

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Legendary immortal goddess

Queen Mother of the West

Kunlun Mountains

It has also become an ideal place for ascension.

Serving the Queen Mother of the West

Rabbit, Three-legged Crow, Toad and Nine-tailed Fox

Often found in various places in tombs

Escorting souls to heaven

Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Strange Gods and Monsters

Also came to the underground palace of mortals

Playing around

(Blue Dragon and White Tiger portrait brick rubbings, photographer @曹铁)

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There are also comic strips of ascension to heaven.

Fuxi and Nuwa, the Sun God and the Moon God

As well as dragon, phoenix, unicorn, etc.

From Heaven

Tomb Master

Ascend to the West Queen Mother

Based on the imagination of heaven and earth

At that time, people began to organize the universe into a system

Into the tomb

Launching another "space revolution"

Above the tomb

The original flat roof

Evolved into roofs and vaults

Finally, it rises to the dome

(Sketch of the changes in Eastern Han tombs, drawn by @Hanqing/Planetary Research Institute)

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Its essence is

Rectangular space above

Covering a hemisphere

Meaning: the sky is round and the earth is square

The central decoration of the dome

Or lotus pattern

Communicating between heaven, earth and the universe with sacred symbols

(The Eastern Han Dynasty mural tomb at Dahuting in Mi County, Henan Province, image from @Wikimedia Commons)

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Or a celestial map

One of the earliest Chinese "astronomical maps"

Located in the Han Tombs of Xi'an Jiaotong University

(Astronomical map, drawn by @Hanqing/Planetary Research Institute)

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Above the picture

We can see

The sun and the moon are metaphors for the rising and setting of the sun and the moon in a day

The twenty-eight constellations are a metaphor for the movement of the universe

The astronomical phenomena are compared with each month

The corresponding gods

Represents the twelve months of the year

This mural

Showing the cosmic model in people's minds

It expresses abstract ideas

It also depicts real astronomical phenomena.

(Astronomical diagram showing the Yin-Yang and Five Elements theory, drawn by @Hanqing/Planetary Research Institute)

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The universe is vast and wild

All in one room

The gods and beasts of heaven

At the call of the tomb

It will also lead to the soul of the tomb owner.

Fly to eternity

Isn't this the ultimate romance?

The passing of life is not the end

It's the beginning of the journey to the stars

end

but

For us today

Heaven and Hell, Gods and Ghosts

All in jokes

Han Dynasty Tomb Archaeology

The treasures unearthed

After the disenchantment of the new era

Bringing infinite excitement to people today

(Ceramic owl-shaped five-linked jar, food container, photographer @Happy Little Dragonfly, Xiao Yining, map @Hanqing/Planet Research Institute)

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The Han Tomb of Laoguanshan was unearthed

The world's earliest jacquard loom

Used to produce Shujin

Unearthed from a cemetery in Hotan, Xinjiang

Han Dynasty Brocade Armguard

Made of Shu brocade

There are eight characters on it: "Five stars rise in the east, bringing good luck to China"

This is a high representative of the brocade weaving skills of the Han Dynasty.

(Five stars rise in the east, good for Chinese armguards, photographer @刘玉生, map @汉青/星球研究院)

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Iron armor unearthed from the Mancheng Han Tombs

It is the most complete Western Han iron armor preserved to date.

Unearthed tent

This is the first complete set of tent structures from the Han Dynasty discovered in China.

Unearthed Changxin Palace Lantern

It is the only human-shaped lantern in China.

The tomb of the King of Nanyue was unearthed

The largest batch of Chinese ink

3 inkstones, 4 grinding stones

With more than 4,000 ink pills

Last used in about 2000 years

Still as black as new

(Stationery, picture from @Nanyue King Museum, map @Hanqing/Planet Research Institute)

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Unearthed from the Yangling Mausoleum of Emperor Jing of Han

The oldest tea in the world

Proving the existence of tea earlier

At least 1000 years

Unearthed from Mawangdui Han Tomb No. 1

Lacquer ritual objects such as tripods, bells, boxes, and fangs are grouped together in sets

This is the first time that this phenomenon has been discovered in my country.

Unearthed T-shaped painted silk painting

It is the largest and most content-rich painted silk painting in my country.

Mawangdui Han Tomb No. 3 was unearthed

Silk Book "Miscellaneous Divinations on Astronomy and Meteorology"

It draws

The earliest comet shape ever discovered

(Part of "Astronomy and Meteorology", photographer @柳叶氘, map @汉青/Planetary Research Institute)

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