More than 200 cultural relics including pottery and lady figurines unearthed from the tombs of the Han Dynasty in Luoyang, Henan Province, more than 50 pieces have been restored
China News Service, Zhengzhou, February 24 (Li Mingming) On the 24th, the reporter learned from the Luoyang Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology that 39 of the Han Dynasty tombs newly discovered in the Yellow River channel in Mengjin County, Luoyang City, Henan Province have been excavated and cleared, and the unearthed are complete. There are more than 200 pieces of cultural relics such as the Western Han Dynasty pottery lady figurines and pottery horses. At present, more than 50 pieces have been restored.
Archaeological site, working scene.
Photo courtesy of Luoyang Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology
The tombs of the Han Dynasty discovered this time are located in Lijiazhuang Village, Huimeng Town, Mengjin County, Luoyang City, Henan Province, where the original landform is the southern bank of the Yellow River.
On December 7, 2020, based on the discovery of Han dynasty tombs in the Yellow River channel provided by the cultural relics department of Mengjin County, the Luoyang Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology immediately carried out archaeological investigations, exploration and related preparations before excavation.
Unearthed pottery figurines of the Western Han Dynasty.
Photo courtesy of Luoyang Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology
“Because of the large flow of the Yellow River in the summer of 2020, the platform will be washed away. After entering the dry season, the tombs will gradually emerge from the water as the water level drops.” said Liu Bin, associate researcher at the Luoyang Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, January 26, 2021, Luoyang City The Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology entered the site and began archaeological excavations, and stationed 5 professional technicians and more than 30 workers.
Western Han Dynasty pottery lady figurines (figure body).
Photo courtesy of Luoyang Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology
After the Luoyang Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology entered the site, professional and technical personnel conducted a dragnet ground survey of the area where the site was located, and at the same time carried out photography and aerial surveying and mapping work to fully understand the distribution and preservation of the site.
An excavation plan was formulated based on the changes in the water level. First, the tombs on the shore were excavated, and then the tombs on the sandbank in the river were excavated when the water level dropped.
Pottery horse unearthed.
Photo courtesy of Luoyang Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology
According to on-site survey statistics, more than 140 tombs of various types (under the water surface), 10 kilns, 7 wells, and more than 3 tombs were discovered through exploration.
The ruins are distributed on the sandbank in the middle of the river and on the south bank, that is, the south bank terrace area that was washed away last year.
The distribution range of all types is about 850 meters from east to west, about 480 meters from north to south, and the distribution area is about 300,000 square meters. They are mainly concentrated in the southeast area, separated by water in the middle.
Western Han Dynasty pottery lady figurines (figure head).
Photo courtesy of Luoyang Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology
At the same time, the Luoyang Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology arranged for professional and technical personnel to conduct archaeological exploration in the south bank river beach area, and found more than 30 tombs, and simultaneously conducted archaeological excavations.
Liu Bin said that due to the rising water level and other reasons, archaeological excavations have now come to an end.
At present, 39 hollow brick tombs and 18 small brick tombs have been excavated and cleared. More than 200 pieces of various cultural relics have been unearthed, including clay pots, pots, pots, pots, pottery maids, pottery horses, pottery chickens, and pottery dogs. , Pottery case, pottery circle, etc. Among them, pottery maid figurines and pottery horses are relatively rare in Luoyang.
Overlooking the archaeological site.
Photo courtesy of Luoyang Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology
After the archaeological excavation work officially began, various cultural relics have been unearthed continuously. However, due to poor burial conditions, many cultural relics are damaged, and muddy water soaking, there is an urgent need for on-site cultural relic protection.
Luoyang Cultural Relics and Archaeology Institute sent professional cultural relics protection and restoration technicians to the excavation site, and began the cleaning and restoration of the unearthed artifacts. A total of more than 50 various types of pots, pottery figurines, etc. were restored, and the colored paintings on the pottery were sealed. Protection and reinforcement work.
Archaeological site, working scene.
Photo courtesy of Luoyang Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology
According to reports, the area where the tomb sites are located is located at the northern foot of Mang Mountain and on the south bank of the Yellow River. It belonged to Pingyin County and Ping County during the Han Dynasty. Mengjin Pass, one of the eight gates of Luoyang in the Han Dynasty, was also located in this area.
The large number of tombs and other archaeological remains discovered this time provide important clues for finding the location of Pingyin County and Ping County, as well as the specific location and historical changes of Mengjin Pass.
The unearthed clay pot with paved head.
Photo courtesy of Luoyang Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology
In addition, in order to better display the archaeological work and unearthed cultural relics, the Archaeological Institute also set up a special temporary exhibition hall on the site to display various cultural relics that have been restored.
"The newly discovered tombs of the Han Dynasty this time are an important archaeological discovery, enriching the value of the times contained in the Yellow River culture." Liu Bin said.
(Finish)