[Explanation] Recently, 35 tombs have been discovered in the eastern area of Jinan, Shandong. There are currently known tombs of the Han Dynasty, 12 tombs of the Yuan Dynasty, and 12 tombs of the Qing Dynasty. The years of the remaining tombs are yet to be determined.
Among the 12 tombs discovered in the Yuan Dynasty, 11 are relatively well-preserved brick fresco tombs and 1 stone chamber tomb.
It is understood that in order to cooperate with the construction of the Jinan Eastern Suburbs Project, the Jinan Archaeological Research Institute will conduct archaeological excavations on the ancient ruins occupied by the project starting on April 23, 2021, which lasted nearly 3 months.
[Explanation] On July 8, the reporter came to the archaeological site and looked down from a height. 12 contiguous Yuan Dynasty tombs were arranged in an orderly manner. The archaeological excavation work has come to an end. Experts prepare for acceptance work.
Xing Qi, the site leader of the Jinan Archaeological Research Institute, told reporters that the 11 Yuan Dynasty brick and mural tombs were the most important discoveries in this excavation.
Although most of the Yuan Dynasty tombs were stolen, seven tombs still have clear dates and owners.
[Concurrent] Xing Qi, site leader of Jinan Archaeological Research Institute
Although most of the Yuan dynasty tombs were stolen, seven of them have a clear date and indicate the identity of the tomb owner. We have confirmed that this is a cemetery of the Guo family in the late Yuan Dynasty.
The arrangement of this batch of tombs is very orderly, and it must be planned before the burial. The owners of the tombs are related by blood. We confirm according to the written information, such as Guo Shigong, eleven males, and twelve males, including them. Mother.
[Explanation] Xing Qi said that although the 11 Yuan dynasty tombs are relatively concentrated in age, their shapes are quite different. There are differences between brick and stone chambers, single and double chambers, square and round shapes. The funeral customs include burial, cremation, and relocation. Burial, joint burial, etc.
The research experts speculated that none of the tomb owners of the Guo family had any official positions and should belong to the Han landlord or wealthy business class.
[Concurrent] Xing Qi, site leader of Jinan Archaeological Research Institute
The owner of the tomb is a Han landlord or a wealthy businessman. Because there is no official position, there is no official record in the epitaph. These unearthed materials provide us with an understanding of the specific class of Han landlord or wealthy businessman in Jinan in the late Yuan Dynasty. This kind of social life or customs, including this kind of architecture, provides very good materials.
[Explanation] The reporter noticed at the scene that the doors and painted murals of the 11 tombs excavated this time are very eye-catching. The murals and brick sculptures with rich themes have been buried underground for nearly a thousand years but are still well preserved.
Among them, the most well-preserved tomb is the tomb numbered M9. There are nine steps on the south side of the tomb, and each step is about 50 cm high. On both sides of the tomb door and the corridor, beautifully painted peony patterns, carts and horses are faintly visible.
These murals have been preserved to this day mainly because the craftsmanship and materials used at that time were good, and the paint was painted relatively thickly.
[Concurrent] Xing Qi, site leader of Jinan Archaeological Research Institute
This tomb gate building is well preserved. The mural itself uses better materials and is painted on the ground. Because this kind of painting is painted on the bricks with a layer of white and gray, and then outlines with ink lines, using red and green colors. Or yellow color to fill the color, some tombs are indeed poorly preserved, because this may be thick, and the colored paint is painted thicker and preserved better.
We now see that the lower layer of the tomb is poorly preserved, and it falls off more seriously, because of the changes in the environment and water and soil at that time.
This thing is more afraid of water, and afraid of exposure.
[Explanation] It is understood that the Jinan Archaeological Research Institute will make relevant protection plans based on expert opinions, the preservation status of the tombs themselves, and the actual local conditions to protect the tombs and unearthed cultural relics to the greatest extent.
Yang Fei reports from Jinan
Editor in charge: 【Luo Pan】