Mausoleums of princes and emperors, as well as large clan graveyards for aristocratic families, from the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420) to the Southern Dynasty (420-589)
Location: Nanjing, Jiangsu Province
Period: 3rd century-5th century
Excavated in 1964

Significance: It plays a key role in understanding the history of the Southern and Northern Dynasties Period, especially the funerary systems of that time.

Gold object with cicada design: ornament (up, height 5.4 cm); Ram-shaped celadon water dropper: water vessel (bottom, length 15.5 cm)

Introduction

Mausoleums of Princes and Emperors & Large Graveyards for Aristocratic Families from the Eastern Jin to the Southern Dynasty in Nanjing are located around Nanjing City and Danyang County. Altogether there exist 31 tombs. The construction of the mausoleums here follows very strict Fengshui, which is of great help in understanding the history of the Southern and Northern Dynasties Period, especially the funerary systems of that time.

The underground halls of the tombs are built of bricks, and the doors, in the shape of half-moon are built of stones. On the walls of the underground halls are many colorful inlays. In front of the tombs is the Sacred Way (Shendao), along which are stone animals and monuments. There are also long barrel-drains before each tomb.

Unfortunately, being frequently robbed over the years, the tombs almost have nothing valuable left.