Location: Linyi, Shandong Province

Period: Jin Dynasty (265-420)

Excavation period: May 2003

A joint team of researchers from the Shandong Provincial Cultural Relics Archeological Research Institute, Cultural Bureau of Linyi, led by Zheng Tongxiu

Findings

The discovery was literally made right in the backyard of the "Sage of Calligraphy " Wang Xizhi's former residence during the expansion of a nearby park in May 2003. Digging next to the Xiyan pool (where it is believed Wang washed his brushes and ink slabs), workers stumbled upon two ancient brick tombs.

The tombs, built like houses on the ground above, were the largest and best preserved among tombs of the Han (206BC-AD220) and Jin (265-420) dynasties discovered in Shandong.

More than 250 sets of bronze, porcelain, lacquer, iron, jade and gold artifacts were found in the 8-meter-wide, 5-meter-long No 1 tomb. Among them seven pieces were believed to be cultural relics from the nation's first class, another seven from the second class and 45 more from the third class.

The most famous find was a very detailed bronze artifact depicting a man riding on a lion. The non-Han ethnic male dons an extravagant tall hat and a suit of armor, with deep, large eyes gazing ahead, a distinct nose, and
Another discovery, the celadon shui zhu (water container), is also very exquisite. Rarely seen today, it is a small empty container with two tiny holes on the surface. One of its two holes was plugged as the container was held at an angle so water could drip out slowly from the other side. Used as early as in the Han Dynasty , the container was a clever means of siphoning liquid.

Significance

The No 1 tomb, where three children were buried, yielded the largest number of relics from a Jin tomb so far unearthed in the province. It serves as a vivid reflection of Jin burial customs. However, it is strange that only the bodies of three children were housed in such an extravagant tomb. The No 2 tomb, which is larger than the first, is the largest single-chamber brick tomb discovered in the province. Unfortunately, it has been pillaged on two occasions.