According to the archaeological experts, the 14 ancient tombs excavated were from the Eastern Han Dynasty to the Ming Dynasty, including 11 tombs in the middle and late Eastern Han Dynasty, one tomb of the Six Dynasties, one tomb of the Song Dynasty and one tomb of the Ming Dynasty.

 

According to the project leader, there are two types of tombs that have been excavated, namely brick-chambered tombs and earth-pit tombs. The brick-chambered tombs are all single-chambered tombs and composed of sloping chutes, closed doors, corridors and cemeteries. The corridors and cemeteries are coupon roofs, and the cemeteries are rectangular.

 

 

“We found in the brick-chambered tombs of the Eastern Han Dynasty that the side walls of the tombs were built with brick platforms or grooves. This was also found in the brick-chambered tombs of the Eastern Han Dynasty in Leiyang City and Hengdong County. It provides important clues for the study of funeral customs and cultural exchanges in the region.”

 

The earth-pit tombs are all vertical earth pit tombs of the Eastern Han Dynasty, with a depth of 3.5 to 5 meters. There are also thin sand layers in the fill. 

 

Archaeologists speculate that the laying of sand layer in the fill may be related with the gender of the tomb owner, which needs further study. 

 

 

In addition, there are signs of coffin decay in the No. M11 tomb, indicating that there should be a coffin in the tomb, which continues some of the old funeral customs of the Western Han Dynasty.

 

Among the unearthed relics, there are porcelain wares like pots, cauldrons and stove; iron tools like knives, cauldrons and tripods, and bronze wares including knives, cauldrons, kettles. There are also a few stone ornaments. 

 

The 14 tombs excavated this time should be ordinary civilian tombs for they are small in scale and the burial objects are of low grade. 

Miaozhushan Ancient Tombs is the first scientific archaeological discovery of tombs from the Eastern Han Dynasty to the Ming Dynasty in Anren County.

 

The discovery of the tombs extends the historical axis of Anren County, and also provides important archaeological data for the study of the burial stages, burial customs, historical and cultural features, and social and economic development of the Han Dynasty in Anren County and even in the Mishui River Basin.